N.L. Central.(BASEBALL)

CHICAGO CUBS

1B Derrek Lee (wrist) returned from his minor league rehab assignment sooner than the Cubs would have liked. He'll wear a brace on the bases and play with his wrist taped, and he'll take days off when he needs to.... Rather than call up a minor leaguer, the Cubs decided 1B Phil Nevin could be the backup to C Henry Blanco while Michael Barrett serves his 10-game suspension. Nevin has played 109 games at catcher--mostly in 1998 and '99. HOT PROSPECT: OF Felix Pie will be high on the list of call-ups if the Cubs go young in the second half. CF Juan Pierre has been a disappointment, and if he's traded, Pie could replace him. Pie has good speed but becomes tentative after he's thrown out. He has solid power but strikes out often.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS

RHP Todd Coffey hasn't been getting enough work to stay sharp since taking over as closer. Manager Jerry Narron might mix Coffey with LHPs Chris Hammond and Kent Mercker and RHP David Weathers in a committeelike format in the late innings.... Shoulder tendinitis has LHP Brandon Claussen on the D.L., but he might have been demoted anyway. Clauseen had trouble being aggressive in the strike zone. With RHP Joe Mays looking good in his place, Claussen might not get his job back. HOT PROSPECT: RHP Homer Bailey, who recently was promoted to Class AA Chattanooga, has a mid- to high-90s fastball and a sharp breaking pitch. The Reds want Bailey to keep the ball down and resist the urge to overthrow.--Mark Sheldon

HOUSTON ASTROS

RHP Fernando Nieve was moved to the bullpen when RHP Roger Clemens returned because Nieve's fastball hits the upper 90s and the Astros project RHP Taylor Buchholz, who was the other bullpen candidate, as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Buchholz probably will be optioned to Class AAA when RHP Brandon Backe returns after the All-Star break.... RF Jason Lane recently widened his stance and shortened his swing, which corrected an uneven weight shift in his lower body and has improved his average and power. HOT PROSPECT: Hunter Pence, the club's top outfield prospect, is having an All-Star-caliber year at Class AA. Pence hits for power and average and has good speed. He'll have a good chance to make the team next spring.--Alyson Footer

MILWAUKEE BREWERS