PITTSBURGH, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee returned from the disabled list and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup.
Lee, who first hit the DL on April 19 with a fractured right wrist, returned to the Cubs on June 25, but was put back on the DL in late July after suffering from post-traumatic inflammation.
He played Monday in the Cubs' 11-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lee went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI, bringing his 2006 numbers to a .260 batting average, four home runs and 16 RBI in 35 games played.
Last season, Lee had a breakout year with a .276 average, 46 home runs and 107 RBI. He finished third in National League MVP balloting for 2005.
To make room for Lee on the 25-man roster, the Cubs optioned infielder Buck Coats to the Iowa Cubs of Triple-A. In addition, Chicago recalled reliever Les Walrond from Iowa and optioned pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu to Triple-A.
