Tough to see Lilly, Theriot depart the Cubs

DENVER - Although Cubs players understood the business ramifications of Saturday's trade that sent pitcher Ted Lilly and second baseman Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers, there were enough long faces around the clubhouse.

Theriot has been a career Cub, and Lilly has been a leader of the pitching staff. Cubs players have expressed admiration for Lilly's professionalism, example-setting and doggedness.

"He's a real pleasure to be around," said backup catcher Koyie Hill. "You learn a lot. It's always special, too, when you get guys who achieve as much him without everybody else's tools. He'll tell you just as much as I will that he's a little bit behind some guys. But his mind, and the way he competes, is his best attribute.

"There are so many things you can take from his game, both mentally and physically. Heart-wise, you can take so much from what he offers as a player, as a teammate and everything else. ... It's a bad day for all of us in here who respected him so much. But life goes on."

Diamond's time: The Cubs will call up right-hander Thomas Diamond to pitch Tuesday night's game at Wrigley Field against the Brewers. Randy Wells will start Monday.

Diamond, 27, is 5-4 with a 3.16 ERA at Class AAA Iowa. He is a protégé of Cubs assistant general manager Randy Bush, who coached him at the University of New Orleans and was instrumental in the Cubs claiming him off waivers from Texas late last season.

Skinny on prospects: The Cubs got a pair of young pitching prospects in addition to second baseman Blake DeWitt from the Dodgers. Kyle Smit and Brett Wallach are a pair of right-handers.

Smit, 22, has pitched three games with no record and an 0.00 ERA at Class AA Chattanooga since his promotion from Inland Empire (A), where he went 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 34 games, all but one as a reliever. He walked only 10 and struck out 46 in 502/3 innings at Inland Empire.

Wallach, 21, was 6-0 with a 3.72 ERA in 17 starts for Class A Great Lakes, striking out 92 in 842/3 innings. Wallach was a third-round draft pick last year. Smith was a fifth-rounder in 2006.

"They're both upper-echelon prospects how we ranked their system," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

A-OK with D-Lee: Jim Hendry said he had no problem with first baseman Derrek Lee exercising his 10-and-5 rights and vetoing a trade to the Angels.

"Derrek and I have a great relationship," Hendry said. "That goes back to his father (Leon), who worked for us way before we ever traded for Derrek. Derrek's been a terrific player here for a long time.

"I told Derrek a long time ago that if anyone called, I would talk to him, which I did. When the rumors started a few months ago about Derrek, I went and told him nobody had called yet. I did go to him as soon as I got the call (from the Angels). Derrek took his time, kicked it around, talked about it with his wife and his family. That's the decision he made. I respect that. I have no problem with Derrek Lee staying and playing here for the length of his contract because he's given us a lot of great years."