On average, Lee's spring not so hot

PHOENIX - Cubs manager Lou Piniella termed Derrek Lee's batting practice Monday the best he's seen him have this spring.

"The ball jumped off his bat really, really well," Piniella said.

However, it didn't translate into good results for Lee in the afternoon's 9-6 loss to the Brewers.

Lee grounded out to third with a man on second base in the first inning. In the third, he grounded out to short. He was called out on strikes to end the fifth.

For the spring, Lee is 5-for-28 (. 179) with only a double for an extra-base hit. Perhaps not wanting to single Lee out, Piniella issued another call of urgency to his hitters.

"It's been a long camp, and I think these guys have been pacing themselves to a degree," Piniella said. "It's getting to the point where you've got to start pushing yourself just a little bit because we've got three weeks, but they fly. Not only that, but you can get into bad habits by not pushing yourself.

"I'm aware of it. I've talked to the hitting coach about it. I'd like to see our big boys start to whack the ball. I really would. I have all the confidence in the world that they'll be ready once the season starts, but at the same time, boy, I'd like to see them have some good at-bats and consistently hit the ball hard."

Patton pending: Don't look now, but Rule 5 selection David Patton looks to be making a case for a bullpen spot as other relievers falter.

Patton, a 24-year-old right-hander, is 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 6 games this spring. In 62/3 innings pitched, he's struck out seven without walking a batter. Those kinds of numbers appeal to Lou Piniella.

Patton came up through he Rockies system. The Cubs obtained him in a trade with the Reds at the winter meetings, where Cincinnati took him in the Rule 5 draft.

Relievers Angel Guzman, Chad Gaudin and Luis Vizcaino have struggled. Guzman is out of minor-league options, and he may be on his way out of the organization. It's possible the Cubs could explore trade options with Gaudin and-or Vizcaino as camp winds down.

Miles update: Infielder Aaron Miles worked out Monday and said he hopes to be able to play today against the Dodgers. Miles has been out with a sore right shoulder. Lou Piniella has said he may keep Miles at second base until the shoulder gets even better.

"I feel like the arm is going to be there," Miles said. "I threw good yesterday. I think everything will be for a precautionary reason. I think I'll have to make some throws from short in batting practice and see how I feel the next day before he's probably going to put me on that side of the diamond."

Sick bay: Right fielder Milton Bradley was scratched from Monday's lineup because of what the team termed flu-like symptoms. That same illness befell relief pitcher Randy Wells, who also was sent home.