Bryan LaHair is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Padres.

LaHair is just 3-for-22 with 11 strikeouts against southpaws this season, so he'll take a seat against Eric Stults. Jeff Baker will make the start at first base Tuesday.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he'll likely give Bryan LaHair the day off Tuesday for a "mental break."

LaHair started the season red-hot, mostly due to a ridiculously fortunate batting average on balls in play, but he's hitting just .250 this month and .191 (9-for-47) over his last 13 games. He should still have value in mixed leagues moving forward, but we hope you sold high.

Bryan LaHair went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles in Sunday's win over the Phillies.

LaHair also scored a pair of runs. The journeyman minor leaguer is white hot, hitting in five straight games, roping five extra-base hits in the process to bring his triple slash to a cool .382/.470/.727. He obviously won't continue at this rate, but it's no longer absurd to believe LaHair might hit enough to maintain year-long value in mixed leagues.

Bryan LaHair homered for the Cubs' lone run of the game Wednesday against the Cardinals.

LaHair is hitting .364 with four homers, and he's also walked seven times in his last nine games. The Cubs are going to want to go to Anthony Rizzo at first base at some point during the middle of the season, but if this keeps up, LaHair should have some trade value.

Bryan LaHair hit his first career grand slam in the top of the third inning to help the Cubs beat the Cardinals 9-5 on Friday.

The slam got some help from the wind and still barely cleared the fence in left field, but it counts in the books. LaHair is 7-for-20 with two homers since missing the first couple of games of the season with a stiff back.

Bryan LaHair returned to action on Saturday April 7.

Bryan LaHair (back) will be available to pinch hit in Saturday's game against the Nationals.

LaHair is nursing a back injury and expected to return to the lineup Sunday. Jeff Baker will continue to start at first base in his absence.

Bryan LaHair (back) is expected to be available off the bench Saturday and return to the lineup on Sunday.

LaHair, who is nursing a stiff back, was nearly ready to play in Thursday's opener, but the Cubs decided to play it safe and hold him out. Jeff Baker starter Thursday at first base, but Joe Mather is also an option to fill in on Saturday.

Bryan LaHair (back) is not in the Cubs' starting lineup on Opening Day against the Nationals.

LaHair came down with a bit of back stiffness near the end of spring training and the Cubs didn't want to throw him out there at less than 100 percent. Jeff Baker will start at first base against Stephen Strasburg.

Bryan LaHair (back) is "50-50" to be ready for Opening Day on Thursday against the Nationals.

LaHair has been sidelined in recent days due to back stiffness. It's not clear who would start at first base if he isn't ready, but Jeff Baker is one possibility. Tony Campana will remain with the team in case LaHair needs to be placed on the disabled list.

Bryan LaHair (back) is out of the Cubs' lineup again on Tuesday.

LaHair hasn't played since being scratched from Sunday's lineup due to back tightness. However, he is expected to be ready for Opening Day against the Nationals on Thursday.

Bryan LaHair was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to tightness in his back.

It sounds like a precautionary move, as LaHair says he's OK. Blake DeWitt took his spot in the lineup.

Bryan LaHair was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against the Giants Tuesday.

LaHair now has just three singles in 20 at-bats this spring while striking out seven times. It's hardly a sample size to get worked up over thus far, but if he continues to stink it up at the dish, perhaps the Cubs will start to consider other options at first base.

Bryan LaHair had a pair of singles, drove in and also scored a run in Wednesday's win over the Royals.

He also stole a base. LaHair had two of the Cubbies' 15 hits on the day. The minor league journeyman is locked in as the team's starting first baseman for this season after posting an .885 OPS for them last September following Pacific Coast League MVP honors. We're reluctant to put too much faith in the 29-year-old, but he does offer a bit of intrigue.

During an appearance Wednesday on WGN radio in Chicago, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said that he expects Bryan LaHair to be the club's starting first baseman this season.

"Bryan LaHair is our first baseman," said Epstein. "I don't believe in the concept of 4A players. The guy can hit." After winning the Pacific Coast League MVP last season by hitting .331/.405/.664 with 38 home runs, the 29-year-old batted .288/.377/.508 with two homers, six RBI and an .885 OPS over 69 plate appearances as a September call-up. He still has an awful lot to prove, but could be a decent sleeper in NL-only leagues if he gets a fair shake at first base.

Bryan LaHair hit a go-ahead solo home run in a 2-1 win over the Astros on Saturday afternoon.

LaHair's solo blast in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference in the ballgame. The 28-year-old is batting .433 (13-for-30) with eight extra-base hits (two homers) and a 7/7 K/BB ratio since being called up from the minors earlier this month. The Cubs have played him in both right and left field due to the presence of Carlos Pena, but he is better suited to play first base if he manages to stick around in the big leagues.

According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, numerous Japanese teams have been scouting and are prepared to make offers to Bryan LaHair.

LaHair is intrigued by the interest, but hopes to remain in the major leagues. "Not coming from a lot of money, when you hear offers, you have to consider it," said LaHair. "But the dream is to be in the major leagues. And this is where I want to be." LaHair, 28, won the Pacific Coast League MVP this season by batting .331/.405/.664 with 38 home runs over 523 plate appearances. He is 11-for-24 (.458) with one home run and four RBI since being called up to the majors earlier this month.

Bryan LaHair went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two walks and four runs scored on Sunday night.

LaHair is 10-for-20 with six extra-base hits since his callup. The Cubs are playing him in left field to get both him and Carlos Pena into the lineup, but he's not really a realistic outfield option going forward. On the other hand, he could do just fine as a cheap replacement for Pena next season.

Cubs purchased the contract of 1B/OF Bryan LaHair from Triple-A Iowa.

LaHair ripped up the Pacific Coast League en route to being named its MVP this season, posting a 1.077 OPS in 523 plate appearances over 129 games. His 38 home runs led the entire minor leagues. However, that's what someone who has appeared in 653 career Triple-A games is supposed to do. Just two months shy of his 29th birthday, LaHair is a non-prospect who will have to make a big impression this month to work his way into the Cubs' 2012 plans.

Cubs re-signed 1B/OF Bryan LaHair to a minor league deal.

LaHair put up a nice .308/.385/.557 batting line with 25 homers at Triple-A Iowa in 2010, which isn't surprising given that it was his fifth go-round at the level. He's the definition of a 4-A player and doesn't have a realistic chance of competing for the opening at first base.