CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs held Derrick Lee out of the lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday because of inflammation in his right thumb.

Lee, batting .364, left Monday's home-opener after the thumb acted up. Manager Lou Piniella expects him to play Thursday.

The Cubs also placed right-handed pitcher Esmailin Caridad on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm and recalled right-hander Jeff Gray from Triple-A Iowa.

Caridad struggled in four relief appearances, going 0-1 and allowing four runs in 2 2-3 innings. Gray threw four scoreless innings over three appearances with Iowa.