MILWAUKEE -- Michael Barrett was back behind the plate Monday night, his first game since his scuffle with pitcher Carlos Zambrano in the Cubs dugout.

"I'm excited," Barrett said Monday.

The Cubs catcher will meet with Zambrano and manager Lou Piniella on Tuesday. Piniella wanted to wait another day so he could deal with his penalty following his ejection Saturday for arguing with third-base umpire Mark Wegner.

"I'll wait for [Piniella] to make those decisions," Barrett said about any meeting.

Barrett compared the incident to a fight with a sibling.

"We're close," Barrett said. "We had our differences that day. Now we're on the same page, and we can go get 'em."

There have been erroneous reports about what happened between Barrett and Zambrano. Zambrano had come out of the game after giving up five runs in the fifth inning to the Atlanta Braves, including one on a combination passed ball and throwing error by Barrett. Zambrano approached Barrett, pointed to his head, and said, "What were you thinking?"

Barrett then pointed toward left field and apologized for the error he made, which was throwing the ball wildly to third base. The ball went into left field.

Zambrano, an emotional player, then shoved Barrett, and the two had to be separated. Zambrano was escorted into the clubhouse, told to shower, and go home. Barrett was supposed to stay in the game, but went into the clubhouse because he wanted to talk to the pitcher. A fight ensued, and Barrett ended up with a shiner under his left eye and six stitches in his lip.

He was available to pinch-hit Saturday and Sunday, but not used.

"We wanted to make sure he was ready," said bench coach Alan Trammell, acting manager while Piniella serves his four-game suspension. "We want to get Michael back in there."

Fast start: Felix Pie batted second again Monday, and will likely stay there and in center field for the Cubs. The rookie outfielder was called up Sunday and replaced Daryle Ward on the roster. Ward is bothered by a sore left hip and leg that has kept him from being able to drive the ball.

"[Pie] had a couple big hits," Piniella said of the youngster, who had a single and RBI double on Sunday against Atlanta. "I like the idea of a left-handed hitter in the two-hole with all the right-handed hitting that we have. He fits in there rather nicely. We'll put him in there and see how he does. If we have to make an adjustment -- and hopefully we won't -- you'll see him out there in center and batting second."

Pie definitely brings some energy to the Cubs' lineup -- and speed.

"He gave us a nice little lift," Piniella said. "He's got some enthusiasm and he's got some giddy-up."

Extra bases: Cliff Floyd was available to pinch-hit on Monday. He's still battling a sore rib cage. Floyd has not been able to take full batting practice for the last few days. ... Cesar Izturis was back in the Cubs lineup on Monday. Izturis is hitting .132 at Wrigley Field, and .342 on the road this season. ... Wade Miller will remain in Wilmington, Del., to work with a therapist on his right shoulder. He had returned to see the doctor who did the arthroscopic surgery in September 2005. ... Former Cubs outfielder and current baserunning instructor Bobby Dernier will be one of the team's representatives at the 2007 First-Year Player Draft on Thursday in Orlando, Fla. Chuck Wasserstrom, manager of baseball information, and Peter Chase, media relations director, also will attend for the Cubs. The team's actual war room for the draft will be in Mesa, Ariz. ... First pitch for the Cubs' June 30 game against Milwaukee has been changed from a 12:05 p.m. CT start to 2:55 p.m. CT to accommodate FOX TV.

Minor matters: Mike Kinkade hit a solo homer and a RBI single in the eighth in Iowa's 7-3 loss to Tacoma on Sunday. ... Kevin Hart gave up two runs on 10 hits over seven innings in Tennessee's 10-3 win over Birmingham on Sunday. Matt Craig hit a three-run homer. ... Daytona manager Jody Davis was ejected for the third time this year in Daytona's 20-5 loss to Dunedin on Sunday. Scott Taylor gave up five runs on seven hits over 1 1/3 innings to take the loss. ... Juan Mateo, making his first injury rehab start, gave up four runs on six hits over three innings in Peoria's 14-4 loss to Beloit on Sunday.

On deck: Left-hander Ted Lilly will start Game 2 of the Cubs' three-game series against first-place Milwaukee at Miller Park on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on WGN.