Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the Cubs will get two prospects from the Indians in exchange for outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

The identities of the players aren't yet known, but since the Cubs are covering more than half of the $4.7 million left on Fukudome's contract, there's a good chance they'll get something of value in return. Olney expects a deal to get done "by gametime" on Thursday.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Indians are in "serious talks" to acquire Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs.

The Indians need outfield help in the worst way, so Fukudome certainly qualifies. The 34-year-old impending free agent is batting .273/.374 /.369 with three homers and 13 RBI over 345 plate appearances this season. His contract includes a full no-trade clause.

Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that at least four teams are "zeroing in" on trading for Kosuke Fukudome.

It's not clear who those four teams are, but Levine speculates that one could be the Indians. Though the Japanese import will still be owed $4.3 million as of Aug. 1, the Cubs are likely to pay a good portion of that money. Fukudome could be a worthwhile fourth outfielder/spot starter for a contender.

Kosuke Fukudome will start in center field Friday for the first time this season.

An interesting call. Not just because he's starting in center field for the first time since 2009, but also because he's getting the start against Royals' left-hander Bruce Chen. Lou Montanez will handle his usual stomping grounds in right field Friday.

Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and an RBI triple as the Cubs defeated the Brewers 12-7 on Thursday.

Fukudome had just six RBI all season before knocking in four runs today. He also scored three times for the first time this year. Fukudome has done a terrific job of getting on base, but finding home plate afterwards has been much trickier for him. For the season, he's scored 24 times in 186 at-bats and 55 games.

Kosuke Fukudome went 3-for-4 and hit his first homer Thursday in the win over the Mets.

Fukudome has had the sparkling OBP all season long, but not much to show for it from a fantasy perspective. At least he's now on the board with a homer, but he had no other RBI or runs scored to show for his other three times on base today. He has just four RBI and 15 runs scored on the season.

Kosuke Fukudome is out of the Cubs' starting lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

Tough to sit Fukudome after a five-hit game, but Cubs manager Mike Quade is stacking his lineup with right-handed hitters against the southpaw Jorge De La Rosa. Reed Johnson will start in right field Tuesday and bat eighth.

Kosuke Fukudome posted the first five-hit game of his career on Monday night, but it wasn't enough for the Cubs in a 5-3 loss to the Rockies.

All five hits were singles. Fukudome is the first Cub to collect five hits in a game since Ryan Theriot did so last April 25. The effort boosted his already stellar .415 average to .478. Fukudome should continue to take playing time away from Tyler Colvin in right field for the time being, but a notoriously fast starter, he should soon cool off, and in a big way.

Kosuke Fukudome turned in a third straight multihit game Friday, going 3-for-4 with a walk.

With the Cubs starting to favor Starlin Castro as a leadoff man, one wondered if Fukudome might see his role reduced. The Cubs, though, plugged Castro into the third spot in the order today and put Fukudome atop the lineup where he belongs. He's hitting .417 with nine walks in 36 at-bats. Now if only someone will start driving him in.

Kosuke Fukudome is expected to be at Wrigley Field by game time Wednesday following the birth of his daughter on Tuesday.

Fukudome missed Tuesday's game, but could be available to pinch-hit in the first game of the doubleheader Wednesday and start and bat leadoff in the second game.

Kosuke Fukudome returned to action on Saturday April 16.

Kosuke Fukudome (hamstring) could return to the lineup Saturday.

``He's real close, but when a guy tells me he's ready, I always like to give him one more day,'' Cubs manager Mike Quade said. Tyler Colvin, who is off to a .135/.220/.351 start at the plate, has been playing right field with Fukudome out.

Kosuke Fukudome (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game Friday.

Fukudome is still nursing a hamstring strain suffered during Sunday's game. Tyler Colvin will start in right field Friday and bat seventh against Jhoulys Chacin.

Kosuke Fukudome (hamstring) is showing improvement but is still questionable to play Friday.

Fukudome hasn't played since Sunday and although the Cubs don't think he'll need a trip to the disabled list, they haven't ruled it out, either. ``I'm praying it's not,'' Quade said. ``But right now I'm optimistic it's not.'' Tyler Colvin is a better player than Fukudome, anyway, so the Cubs will be OK in right field.

Kosuke Fukudome (hamstring) hopes to be back in the lineup by Friday.

Fukudome strained his hamstring Saturday, but the injury has been steadily improving and a stint on the DL is unlikely. Tyler Colvin will continue to handle right field until he's ready.

Kosuke Fukudome (hamstring) is out of Monday's lineup against the Astros.

Fukudome left Sunday's game with a mild left hamstring strain after making a shoestring catch. It's not a major concern, but consider him day-to-day right now. Starlin Castro will lead off against Nelson Figueroa in his absence.

Kosuke Fukudome reached base in three of his four plate appearances Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Tyler Colvin is getting some playing time as a result of Carlos Pena's injury, but Fukudome and Alfonso Soriano, who hit his third homer today, are trying to keep him out of the outfield for now. Batting leadoff for the Cubs, Fukudome is 5-for-14 with five walks already. Unfortunately, with just one run scored, one RBI and no steals, it hasn't translated to much fantasy value yet.

Kosuke Fukudome went 0-for-3 against the Mariners on Monday, dropping his spring average to .194.

A concerning number for a player who gets off to notoriously hot starts each season before cooling down. That being said, Fukudome has had poor springs in the past, and his body of work, including his career .326 average in April, is more than large enough to ignore a cold exhibition season.

Cubs manager Mike Quade said Kosuke Fukudome appears to be favorite to bat leadoff.

Last season, Fukudome hit .193 in 181 at-bats while leading off and he has a career .233 average in that spot. The Cubs, however, don't have many guys that can get on base consistently and that's Fukudome's calling card. The 33-year-old Japan native batted .263/.371/.439 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI over 130 games last season. His at-bats will be eaten into by Tyler Colvin this year.

Kosuke Fukudome said Friday that he wants to remain in the U.S. beyond 2011.

Fukudome's four-year, $48 million agreement with the Cubs runs out at the end of this season. He won't ever get paid like that again, but a number of teams would have interest in adding him to a lesser free agent contract. The 33-year-old Japan native batted .263/.371/.439 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI over 130 games last season. He will share time in right field this year with Tyler Colvin.