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.
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) should be back in May.
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.
Player Stats
LINEUP
1. Juan Pierre, CF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .276 29 4 8 1 0 0 0 5
Season .254 63 10 16 2 1 0 2 7
2. Jerry Hairston, 2B
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .250 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .263 19 3 5 1 0 0 0 0
Season .333 21 5 7 1 0 0 0 0
3. Todd Walker, 1B
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .360 25 5 9 0 1 2 6 0
Season .378 45 9 17 2 1 2 9 0
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .250 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .222 27 4 6 1 0 1 3 1
Season .200 50 7 10 1 0 2 5 1
5. Michael Barrett, C
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .750 4 1 3 1 0 1 3 0
Last 7 Games .259 27 4 7 1 0 1 8 0
Season .320 50 9 16 3 0 4 18 0
6. Jacque Jones, RF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .300 20 3 6 1 0 1 3 0
Season .188 32 4 6 1 0 1 4 0
7. Matt Murton, LF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .250 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .250 24 3 6 2 1 0 4 0
Season .278 54 8 15 2 1 2 9 0
8. Ronny Cedeno, SS
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .250 24 1 6 1 0 0 4 0
Season .347 49 4 17 5 1 0 5 0
9. Jerome Williams, P
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 5 Games .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Season .000 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
OTHER ROSTER PLAYERS
Henry Blanco, C
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 3 Games .111 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Season .111 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Freddie Bynum, RF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game 1.000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .182 11 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Season .154 13 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Derrek Lee, 1B
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .333 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Last 7 Games .273 22 3 6 1 0 0 3 2
Season .318 44 11 14 4 0 3 10 5
John Mabry, RF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .500 12 2 6 0 0 1 3 0
Season .462 13 2 6 0 0 1 3 0
Angel Pagan, RF
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .500 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .188 16 0 3 1 0 0 0 0
Season .263 19 2 5 1 0 0 1 0
Neifi Perez, SS
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game 1.000 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Last 7 Games .077 13 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Season .250 20 3 5 1 0 0 3 0
Mike Restovich,
BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Last Game .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Last 1 Games .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Season .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0