(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) The Cubs were devastated by the news that first baseman Derrek Lee will miss at least six weeks -- and possibly two months -- when he suffered two fractures in his right wrist.

But as infielder Todd Walker pointed out on Friday: "We don't have the luxury of feeling sorry for ourselves."

Look for Walker to take over the first baseman duties for a while although John Mabry and Michael Restovich will probably also see some time there.

The Cubs know they can't replace Lee's versatility of hitting and top-notch defense, but they will give it a shot.

"It's definitely a big blow," outfielder Juan Pierre said. "He was the one guy in the lineup who the opposing team really, really feared. And he's been running -- getting into scoring position. And on defense, he's probably saved about three or four runs picking the balls out of the dirt. He was the only one in the game doing what he was doing on both sides of the ball.

"But don't count us out. I know a lot of people will. But I think we've got enough guys to keep it going until those guys get back."

REPLAY: Fifth starter Jerome Williams couldn't get out of the second inning and the Cubs dropped a 9-3 setback to St. Louis in their first game at new Busch Stadium on Friday night.

Williams gave up seven runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings, and his job in the rotation could be in jeopardy with minor leaguers Angel Guzman and Rich Hill doing an effective job for Triple-A Iowa.

--story continued below advertisement--

NOTES, QUOTES

--RHP Kerry Wood (shoulder and knee surgery) threw a warmup session on Thursday but felt tightness near his armpit region and did not pitch in a scheduled appearance in a Rookie League game in Arizona. He was supposed to throw three innings. He will throw a side session on Saturday and may try to pitch in a Rookie League game on Tuesday.

--RHP Mark Prior (shoulder injury) threw to hitters for the first time all year when he threw 25 pitches in an extended spring training batting practice session on Friday. The Cubs are not predicting when he will return or start to throw in simulated action.

--1B Todd Walker took over for injured Derrek Lee both in the field and in the third slot in the lineup in Friday's game against St. Louis. Baker said he will use Walker, John Mabry and Michael Restovich at first depending on matchups.

--INF-OF Michael Restovich was promoted from Triple-A Iowa on Friday after 1B Derrek Lee was placed on the disabled list with a wrist injury. While Restovich probably won't get much time at first, he will serve as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter.

--RHP Wade Miller (shoulder surgery) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list and won't be available until June. The Cubs were originally hoping he could return in May.

BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- No-decisions for pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Sean Marshall in their first seven starts.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not being pessimistic, I'm being pragmatic." -- Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, who had 15 RBIs in the Cubs' first 14 games, about not being among the league leaders in RBI when the season ends. Barrett's high-water mark for RBI in a season is 65.

ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Kerry Wood (shoulder and knee surgery) hopes to be back by late April.

RHP Wade Miller (shoulder surgery) had hoped to be back in May but now is out until June.

RHP Mark Prior (strained shoulder) is throwing on the mound again, but no timetable has been set for his return.

OF Angel Pagan (hamstring, knee) should be back in late May.

1B Derrek Lee (broken right wrist) will be out at least through May.

LHP Scott Eyre (bruised right knee) is day-to-day.

==============
www.mysportspage.com
==============