Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee could be out for the rest of the season because of his 3-year-old daughter's illness.

Lee had missed the last two games before he said yesterday he was taking a leave of absence to be with his wife and child.

"My daughter's lost some vision in one eye and we'll find out more at a later time; we have to go through some more tests," Lee said in a statement.

Jada is the only child for Lee and his wife, Christina. Lee fought back tears as he addressed the media and then spoke to the team in private in the clubhouse.

Lee turned 31 this month and the 2005 NL batting champion has played just 49 games this season, hitting .287 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. He broke his left wrist April 19 and missed 58 games before returning to the team in late June. He went on the DL a second time in late July later with inflammation in the wrist and missed another month.

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Tigers: Second baseman Placido Polanco, who was put on the disabled list on Aug. 16 with a separated left shoulder, said, "I'm out for the year," after the Tigers lost to Baltimore 12-8 yesterday.

Red Sox: First baseman Kevin Youkilis came out of yesterday's opener with a jammed right shoulder after Bernie Williams' knee hit him at first base in the eighth. You-kilis didn't start the second game but said the injury wasn't major.

Yankees: The team will arrange for a simulated game for outfielder Gary Sheffield when it is in Toronto, likely tomorrow or Wednesday, before deciding when to activate him. Sheffield had wrist surgery June 13.

Devil Rays: Manager Joe Maddon said right-hander Edwin Jackson will be available to pitch today. Jackson took a line drive to the back of the head in Saturday's game. Tests revealed no problems.