Wood's velocity / Wood to be examined by doctor / ->DL

[KaiserCesar]

First of all, Wood is coming off surgery and in almost all cases it takes quite a while for a pitcher to regain his initial velocity.

Secondly, with 4 regular season + 3 rehab starts Wood is pretty much where most pitchers would be coming out of spring training, so he is not going to be as sharp as the guys that have been pitching for 2 months + spring training.

The hitters are approaching mid season form and Wood is just getting into shape, so that is a recipe for disaster.

If Wood makes good throw to first on the bunt in the second he probably gets out of that inning with no runs scoring and who knows what happens from there.

IMO still WAY to early to make any judgements about what Wood will be like when he is back to full strength.

 

Fixed.

 

Shoulder surgery.

 

This is the hardest sugery to come back from for a pitcher. He's going to have his ups and downs in the rehab. Last night his velocity wasn't there and neither was his control. It was just a bad start so we all need to exercise a little patience.

[VicCub]

According to Chicagosports.com, Wood will be going in for an exam.

 

Good grief.

[YearofDaCubs]

According to Chicagosports.com, Wood will be going in for an exam.

 

Good grief.

Who didn't see that coming. Have fun in all your future endeavors Wood.

[goonys evil twin]

According to Chicagosports.com, Wood will be going in for an exam.

 

Good grief.

Who didn't see that coming. Have fun in all your future endeavors Wood.

 

I don't think an exam, given what's happened so far, is a bad thing. I'd rather they be proactive than say "we don't know what the problem is".

[Sammy Sofa]

Wood needs more time to heal and figure out how he's going to pitch from here on out. If he's willing to give the Cubs a BIG price break, fine, sign him up for another year, and y'know what? Do it soon and shut him down. Prior, too. Let these guys heal...either they get good enough to start again or they get decent enough to trade...they're neither right now. The season is down the crapper, through the pipes and spewed into the ocean. The FA market for starters next year is going to be awful, and the odds of Hendry screwing up trying to trade for one are way too good. He'll just overpay for some middle of the road guy that has his worst year ever the second he lands in Chicago. If Wood doesn't want to cut the Cubs a break price wise, seeyuh.

[YearofDaCubs]

Wood needs more time to heal and figure out how he's going to pitch from here on out. If he's willing to give the Cubs a BIG price break, fine, sign him up for another year, and y'know what? Do it soon and shut him down. Prior, too. Let these guys heal...either they get good enough to start again or they get decent enough to trade...they're neither right now. The season is down the crapper, through the pipes and spewed into the ocean. The FA market for starters next year is going to be awful, and the odds of Hendry screwing up trying to trade for one are way too good. He'll just overpay for some middle of the road guy that has his worst year ever the second he lands in Chicago. If Wood doesn't want to cut the Cubs a break price wise, seeyuh.

Mojo,

 

I know where you are coming from but at the same time I feel like these guys have to live up to their salaries and start pitching for us. These guys are making a boat load of money and as an organization I would like to see us get something in return for the investment.

[cubfan1955]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

[goonys evil twin]

Wood needs more time to heal and figure out how he's going to pitch from here on out. If he's willing to give the Cubs a BIG price break, fine, sign him up for another year, and y'know what? Do it soon and shut him down. Prior, too. Let these guys heal...either they get good enough to start again or they get decent enough to trade...they're neither right now. The season is down the crapper, through the pipes and spewed into the ocean. The FA market for starters next year is going to be awful, and the odds of Hendry screwing up trying to trade for one are way too good. He'll just overpay for some middle of the road guy that has his worst year ever the second he lands in Chicago. If Wood doesn't want to cut the Cubs a break price wise, seeyuh.

Mojo,

 

I know where you are coming from but at the same time I feel like these guys have to live up to their salaries and start pitching for us. These guys are making a boat load of money and as an organization I would like to see us get something in return for the investment.

 

Well yeah, we'd all like to see that. But you can't do anything about it. The injuries happened. It's in the past. The money spent is lost. The key is doing the best job with them moving forward (and it wouldn't hurt if management learned a thing or two about overusing young pitchers).

[goonys evil twin]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

 

If he needs 5 or 6 days to come back from 80-90 pitch outings, don't you think he'll need a lot of time coming back from 20-30 pitch outings in the pen? I don't think a move to the pen is going to help a guy who needs long recovery times.

[frostwyrm]

Kerry is finished as a rotation-only pitcher. He won't get any good offers in the offseason unless he consents to relieve if asked. Best Kerry can hope for is to be offered a chance to start, he certainly won't get any guarantees, and I really doubt his health will ever keep him in anybody's rotation for long.

[goonys evil twin]

Kerry is finished as a rotation-only pitcher. He won't get any good offers in the offseason unless he consents to relieve if asked. Best Kerry can hope for is to be offered a chance to start, he certainly won't get any guarantees, and I really doubt his health will ever keep him in anybody's rotation for long.

 

If the season ended today, and free agency started tomorrow, you're probably right. But that's not the case, and you've got no justification for such a claim.

[cubfan1955]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

 

If he needs 5 or 6 days to come back from 80-90 pitch outings, don't you think he'll need a lot of time coming back from 20-30 pitch outings in the pen? I don't think a move to the pen is going to help a guy who needs long recovery times.

No, I think it's much easier to recover from a 20-30 pitch effort than an 80-90 pitch effort. Remember they moved him to the bullpen last year because the 50-60 pitch mark was what they said was the problem. I just think it's better to build up his strength slowly out of the bullpen. Plus I think it's better for him in the long run.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't think Wood is washed up as a starter yet but I do think he should be in the bullpen the rest of this year. I think coming off surgery his shoulder just can't take starting every 5th (or 6th ot 7th) day. I know he doesn't want to because he's in his walk year but in the long run he'd be better off to do it, get healthy and sign a low base, high incentive one year deal with a team for next year. (Hopefully the Cubs) Then pitch his way to a big contract next year.

 

If he needs 5 or 6 days to come back from 80-90 pitch outings, don't you think he'll need a lot of time coming back from 20-30 pitch outings in the pen? I don't think a move to the pen is going to help a guy who needs long recovery times.

No, I think it's much easier to recover from a 20-30 pitch effort than an 80-90 pitch effort. Remember they moved him to the bullpen last year because the 50-60 pitch mark was what they said was the problem. I just think it's better to build up his strength slowly out of the bullpen. Plus I think it's better for him in the long run.

 

They moved him there, but that doesn't mean it was the right thing to do. And last year wasn't the same as the current, post-surgery problems. They thought he couldn't physically handle the 90 pitch outings last year, this year he can't recover between outings. Big difference.

[CuseCubFan69]

According to Chicagosports.com, Wood will be going in for an exam.

 

Good grief.

Who didn't see that coming. Have fun in all your future endeavors Wood.

 

I don't think an exam, given what's happened so far, is a bad thing. I'd rather they be proactive than say "we don't know what the problem is".

 

I agree. I'm thrilled the Cubs are on top of the situation instead of ignoring it or waiting for something bad to happen first.

[cubfan1955]

They moved him there, but that doesn't mean it was the right thing to do. And last year wasn't the same as the current, post-surgery problems. They thought he couldn't physically handle the 90 pitch outings last year, this year he can't recover between outings. Big difference.

I didn't say it was the right thing to do but he was effective out of the pen.

 

And I don't think he can handle the 90 pitch outings this year. It's just my opinion but if he can't recover maybe he's throwing too many pitches for his surgically repaired shoulder.

[Sammy Sofa]

The exam itself is fine...I just wish it had happen a year or two ago instead of in the final months of what is probably his last season with the Cubs. We get the honor of being his rehab session before he goes off somewhere else. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[CuseCubFan69]

The exam itself is fine...I just wish it had happen a year or two ago instead of in the final months of what is probably his last season with the Cubs. We get the honor of being his rehab session before he goes off somewhere else. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

But now you can see him pitch in the Yankees vs Red Sox games that are on 50 times a year.

[JackBauer]

We need to not sign Wood when the season is over and build a solid 5-man staff WITH Prior. I'm definently not ready to give up on Prior but we need a good starter who can fill in for Prior just in case. I hope the Cubs go for a frontline starter in the offseason and resign Maddux to a one-year deal hopefully with a discount.

 

Zambrano

Prior

____

Marshall

Maddux

Miller?

 

What starters are available this year? I know Zito's there...

[CuseCubFan69]

We need to not sign Wood when the season is over and build a solid 5-man staff WITH Prior. I'm definently not ready to give up on Prior but we need a good starter who can fill in for Prior just in case. I hope the Cubs go for a frontline starter in the offseason and resign Maddux to a one-year deal hopefully with a discount.

 

Zambrano

Prior

____

Marshall

Maddux

Miller?

 

What starters are available this year? I know Zito's there...

 

If Prior can find a steroid that can't be detected....sure.

[Banedon]

Looks like I was a bit late coming to post this one...from Buster Olney:

 

Kerry Wood struggled, and don't be surprised if he gets his shoulder checked out again. Mark Prior's next two rehab starts are set.

[Soul]

:(

 

I think we've seen the end of the great Kerry Wood. Maybe he pitches a little more and maybe he doesn't. But the monster who struck out 20 in '98 and blew the Braves away in '03? Lost & gone forever.

[CuseCubFan69]

Looks like I was a bit late coming to post this one...from Buster Olney:

 

Kerry Wood struggled, and don't be surprised if he gets his shoulder checked out again. Mark Prior's next two rehab starts are set.

 

IMO struggle and has pain are two different things. I have no problem with Kerry getting checked out and the Cubs taking their time brining him back. Now, if Wood can't top 93 at any time he may have some issues but I didn't think he was all that bad last night except for the velocity.

[WindyCity]

:(

 

I think we've seen the end of the great Kerry Wood. Maybe he pitches a little more and maybe he doesn't. But the monster who struck out 20 in '98 and blew the Braves away in '03? Lost & gone forever.

 

He may be done as a Cub, but given Cub-luck he will go elsewhere, regain his health, and be lights-out for the next 8-10 years.

[CubfaninCA]

Kerry looked really uncomfortable last night. Probably will go back on the DL.

 

Watch him sign elsewhere next year and become an All Star.

[Soul]

:(

 

I think we've seen the end of the great Kerry Wood. Maybe he pitches a little more and maybe he doesn't. But the monster who struck out 20 in '98 and blew the Braves away in '03? Lost & gone forever.

 

He may be done as a Cub, but given Cub-luck he will go elsewhere, regain his health, and be lights-out for the next 8-10 years.

 

If that did happen it would lay waste to this organization. Who could argue the overall ineptitude of the Cubs from top to bottom if your greatest pitcher since Maddux can't take the field under your banner, but someone else instantly gets All-Star quality pitching from him?

 

It would make Lou Brock look good.