Cubs’ Lee Will Be in Lineup Today at Minnesota

Derrek Lee will be back with the Chicago Cubs for today’s game at Minnesota after only one minor league rehabilitation appearance.

The move to activate Lee from the disabled list will come one day sooner than expected, as injuries to Tony Womack and Freddy Bynum during Saturday night’s 3-0 loss to Minnesota forced Chicago’s hand.

Lee went one for four with a run-scoring single Saturday night in a rehab start for triple-A Iowa.

“I’ve got to go to work tomorrow. It wasn’t expected, but unfortunately two guys got hurt tonight so we had to make a move,” Lee said. “I’m excited. I’m ready to go.”

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Five-time All-Star Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals, out since May 2 because of a bulging disk, said he planned to start a rehabilitation assignment this week at double-A Wichita.

The first baseman, hoping to be activated by the Royals by July 2, has been plagued by back problems for several years.

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New York Mets setup man Duaner Sanchez has a pinched nerve in his neck and is day to day, the team announced.

Sanchez, a key part of New York’s stellar bullpen, left after throwing only two pitches in the eighth inning of Friday night’s 6-1 victory over Toronto.

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The Cleveland Indians put outfielder Jason Michaels on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right ankle and purchased the contract of left-hander Jeremy Sowers from triple-A Buffalo.... The Texas Rangers recalled right-hander Robinson Tejeda from triple-A Oklahoma and designated left-hander Fabio Castro for assignment.... The Atlanta Braves put pitcher Phil Stockman on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring and called up right-hander Kevin Barry from triple-A Richmond.