Today he took a "simulated batting practice" in which he stood in the batter's box, but did not take any swings. He's still not ready for BP, but getting closer.
News: 1B Derrek Lee (broken right wrist) is getting closer to a return. After hitting in a cage for several days, he took batting practice with his teammates for the second straight day Wednesday. "It feels good," he said. "There are no setbacks." Lee has been on the disabled list since April 21. Asked if he will be able to play this weekend when the Cubs visit Minnesota, he said, "I don't know. It will be soon, but I'm not going to put a date on it."
Analysis: Manager Dusty Baker is leaning toward sending Lee on a brief minor-league rehab assignment. "We're still trying to decide if he needs to go out and see live pitching somewhere," he said. Lee was batting .318 with three homers and 10 RBI when he was injured. Keep him reserved in all Fantasy leagues until he can officially return and prove his health in consecutive games without any lingering effects of the injury.
Just heard off of The Score here in Chicago, that the Cubs are sending Lee out to play in some AAA games with the Iowa Cubs starting this weekend. He's supposed to be down there for about 4 days to a week, and should be up with the big club about a week from today, barring any setbacks. So, looks like us D Lee owners finally will have a reason to watch the Cubs highlights again!
Goodnight Ladies, GOODNIGHT SIR!! Hit the lights sweetheart!
According to what I have heard, he'll only be playing with Iowa Saturday night's game and Sunday afternoon's and he should join the Cubs back on Monday at Wrigley. They'll be making an announcement on Friday on exactly what days he'll be rehabbing, but all indications point to Friday and Saturday.
OH NO!?!? who to believe... I guess it doesn't really mean much for me..I don't think i'd start him next week yet anyway... U guys think he'll make much impact the first few games/??
This article from ChicagoSports.com also says just this weekend.
CLEVELAND -- After saying repeatedly he didn't intend to go on a minor-league rehab stint, Derrek Lee agreed to play at Triple-A Iowa this weekend before returning to the Cubs.
"You can't duplicate check swings and swings and misses," Lee said. "I don't want to come back, maybe do something unexpected and come out of the game. So just go test it out and go from there."
Iowa plays host to Omaha this weekend, and Lee could play there Saturday and Sunday before returning to the Cubs on Monday at Wrigley Field when they begin a homestand against Milwaukee.
"It's probably the smart thing to do," Lee said. "I've been out for two months. Batting practice is a great test, but there's still no test like the game."
Lee does not have to accept a rehab assignment, but the Cubs apparently talked him into one for his own good. Manager Dusty Baker said it's necessary for Lee to get some at-bats in a real game before returning. How many at-bats is probably up to him, but it should be no more than two or three games.
"It changes per person," Baker said. "Some guys need more than others."
With the Cubs so far back in the race, the team doesn't want to rush him back and risk aggravating the wrist injury.
"There's a point of need and a point of reality too," Baker said.
Thanks for that Fade, I was just going by what I heard on the radio, and was encouraged by that, but that article just makes it even better.
I think that the couple rehab games will be good for Lee, just to get him back to seeing live pitching. I'd be less inclined to start him if he wasn't going on a rehab stint, even a short one like this, but he'll definitely be in the lineup as soon as he's available!
Goodnight Ladies, GOODNIGHT SIR!! Hit the lights sweetheart!
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by Fade2White12 » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:43 pm 
