Lee not one to sit it out

HOUSTON -- The Cubs had a big turnout for early batting practice Monday afternoon.

Among those right in the middle of things was first baseman Derrek Lee, who just came off a 7-for-41 homestand.

"I just wanted to get some extra swings in," Lee said. "Obviously, I haven't been getting many hits. Sometimes you've got to get a few extra swings and try to get that groove back."

Manager Lou Piniella has toyed with the idea of giving Lee a day off. Piniella mentioned Wednesday's series finale with the Astros and coupling that with Thursday's off-day in the schedule.

"Wednesday would be a wonderful time to give him a day off," Piniella said. "He'll have from Tuesday night to Friday night in Pittsburgh.

"We'll see how he swings the bat. He had a good session (Monday). He hit the ball to left-center, right-center. Let's hope he gets hot. We need his bat."

Lee has played in all 45 Cubs games this year, including Monday, and he never wants to hear of a day off.

"I don't need a day off; I don't want a day off," said Lee, who last year lobbied Piniella to put him back in after the lineup card did not contain his name for one game in Philadelphia. "But if he doesn't put me in the lineup…"

Asked how he feels at the plate, Lee said: "I don't feel great, but I don't feel bad. Just kind of not putting the right swing on certain pitches and getting myself out. I need to take better swings."

And, again, about that day off?

"It's May," he said. "I'm not worn out."