The magnifying glass had been pointed elsewhere for a couple of weeks and we all became complacent.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek was pulled from today’s game against the Brewers due to some swelling in his thumb. He had x-rays, and although they turned up negative, he might still miss a game or two while the swelling goes down.
Lee was taken out of Monday’s game after the fourth inning because of pain and inflammation in his thumb. He grimaced after he singled in the third inning of the Cubs’ 9-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, and again after he singled in the fourth. He was replaced at first by Xavier Nady, who started the game in right field.
“[Lee] hit a ball that jarred his finger a little bit so we got him out of the ballgame,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He had some swelling in it.” cubs.com.
Apparently Lee has been dealing with the thumb issue since Wednesday, when he jammed it at second base against the Braves. Obviously it hadn’t been affecting him much at the plate, as he’s been one of the Cubs’ best hitters thus far (which is, of course, a tallest midget type of situation). The scary part is that it appears todays removal was not the product of a singular event – but instead the gradual worsening of his thumb.
Hopefully a day or two off will cure what ails him.