Cubs’ Lee out with sore neck

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Chicago’s Derrek Lee(notes) was scheduled to spend Friday night’s game against the Giants receiving treatment for neck spasms, the result of a congratulatory pat on the helmet from pitcher Angel Guzman(notes) the previous night.

“It’s just something that happened,” Cubs’ manager Lou Piniella said before the game. “Guzman, or whoever it was, was trying to compliment him for stealing the base and scoring a run. I was told it was Guzman, I don’t know for sure. I guess they went to the video tape. I just shook his hand.”

Lee drew a leadoff walk in the ninth inning Thursday night from Giants closer Brian Wilson(notes). He stole second, colliding with Giants Eugenio Velez(notes). Lee apparently first felt the spasms on the slide. He eventually scored on Jeff Baker’s(notes) home run that propelled the Cubs’ 3-2 comeback win.

“He could play if we needed him but he’ll get treatment and hopefully be ready to go tomorrow,” Piniella said.

Lee is hitting .306 with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs on the season.

Micah Hoffpauir(notes) started at first while Bobby Scales(notes) was given the start in left field.

“A lot of people are banged up here,” Piniella said. “An abnormally high number.”

Piniella also revealed that right-hander Kevin Gregg(notes), who hasn’t pitched since Monday in Milwaukee, has mild inflammation on the left side of his rib joint.

“He felt something Tuesday and it tightened up on him,” Piniella said.