Lester to IL for hamstring issue; Collins up

CHICAGO -- Cubs ace Jon Lester was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a left hamstring injury suffered in Monday's home opener against the Pirates.

Lester was scheduled to get an MRI on Tuesday, an off day for both teams, who meet again Wednesday.

Appearing on 670 The Score radio Tuesday, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that Lester will miss one or two starts but didn't confirm a trip to the IL. On Wednesday Maddon said that Tyler Chatwood would start Sunday in Lester's spot.

"We could avoid using that spot just based on off-days," Maddon said. "And if we get some rainouts in there, which we don't want, but if it were to happen other things can happen too."

The Cubs called up lefty Tim Collins Wednesday to take Lester's place on the roster. Collins, who appeared in 38 games for the Nationals last season after returning from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries, was signed very late in the spring by the Cubs.

Lester left the game in the third inning of Monday's 10-0 victory.

He sent out a tweet about his injury earlier Tuesday. It was not clear if he knew at the time that he was heading to the IL.

"I didn't feel anything as far as a pop or anything like that," Lester said after the game. "Kind of more along the cramping sensation. We'll find out more [Tuesday]."

Lester's injury occurred while he was running the bases in the bottom of the second inning. He slid into second base on an RBI double and moments later slid into home as part of a six-run inning by the Cubs. The veteran says he's never had leg problems before. (Lester, 35, has made at least 31 starts every season since 2008.)

"In my mind, I'm making my next start," he said. "[Tuesday] may tell us something different."

While warming up before the top of the third, Lester grabbed his left hamstring. He then faced two batters, allowing both to reach, before Maddon went and got him. Brad Brach replaced Lester.