Kerry Wood today...

[OldHappyCubFan]

I don't know if anybody watched the 9th inning today. But Wood was AWESOME.

 

He hit 100 mph on the gun a couple of times. Struck out all three batters.

 

The first batter strike out, swinging at a filthy slider, throwing his bat mid swing at the ball.

 

The second batter, was caught looking at a 100 mph heater. Disgusting.

 

The third batter flailed at another filthy slider, throwing his bat again at the ball.

 

 

Very encourging.

[10man]

Wood was indeed pretty impressive. I half expected him to take over for Hill when Rich lost it since we know Kerry can go more than an inning and pitch well. Then I remembered who was managing our team and I accepted the fact that we weren't going to get a a good in-game decision.

[Brian]

I agree that Woody looked awesome, but he did walk the first batter so it wasn't perfect. Like I said in the game thread, I bet alot of media people will point to that and say Wood should be converted to closer. I don't quite think we're to that point, but it looks like he could do it.

[Jon]

Ugh. Perhaps a little too encouraging...

 

Paul Sullivan[/url]"]CHICAGO - (KRT) - Six days into his new life as a reliever, Kerry Wood was informed Cubs manager Dusty Baker was considering moving him back into the rotation.

 

Baker opened the door for Wood to revert to a starting role after rookie Rich Hill imploded during an 8-2 loss to Cincinnati, when the Cubs matched their longest losing streak of the season at eight games.

 

Asked if Wood could move into a new role, Baker replied: "Most definitely. But we don't know how much his arm can handle."

 

The possibility of using Wood as the closer is much more likely than Wood moving to the rotation, where he would risk incurring the shoulder pains that forced him into the bullpen in the first place. Baker couldn't rule out such a switch, no matter how improbable.

 

"I don't know," Baker said. "It's not going to solve the problem immediately with these Cardinals coming in."

 

Wood was surprised to be asked about a possible change in his role after pitching one inning of mop-up duty in the loss to the Reds.

 

................................

 

Baker said there has been no talk yet of shutting Wood down.

 

"As long as he isn't feeling anything," Baker said. "The problem starts when he throws a number of pitches. That's when he feels it. As long as we minimize his pitches, he says he feels great."

 

If the Cubs fall completely out of the wild-card playoff race, they are expected to shut down Wood for arthroscopic surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum, hoping he will be healthy for spring training. For now, they think he can get through the final six weeks. Wood has not signed off on the surgery yet.

1) It's okay to admit the season is over. I don't think you need to worry about motivation at this point.

2) You're thinking of doing what? How 'bout you decide whether or not he'll have surgery and then do it.

[rickrolled]

The Cubs are being ridiculous. Shut Wood down. If Hendry and/or Baker believe this team can make the playoffs, they need serious help.

[ConstableRabbit]

The Cubs are being ridiculous. Shut Wood down. If Hendry and/or Baker believe this team can make the playoffs, they need serious help.

 

Hey, stop being such a pessimist, dude! All we gotta do is get outta this funk and sweep Stl and Houston and we'll be right back in this.

 

P.S. I drive a Chevy, and I hope you'll choose Chevy too.

[otis89]

The Cubs are being ridiculous. Shut Wood down. If Hendry and/or Baker believe this team can make the playoffs, they need serious help.

 

Hey, stop being such a pessimist, dude! All we gotta do is get outta this funk and sweep Stl and Houston and we'll be right back in this.

 

P.S. I drive a Chevy, and I hope you'll choose Chevy too.

 

Don't remind me about FOX's stupid "Chevy and baseball, they just go together." That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.

[RonCey]

In the past week, I have not heard or read a good explanation as to why Wood is making appearances when his team is down by 4+ runs. Of course, when you're team is in the middle of a historic losing streak, a manager doesn't have much of a choice. BUT, when the top levels of the organization state publicly that Wood will be shut down when the Cubs are clearly out of contention, why put him in when we're down 6??

 

Has anyone heard any statement from the Cubs that the injury cannot be exacerbated? Has anyone seen statement from the Cubs that he will only be worse off injury-wise if he gets rusty, so that he needs work every other day??

 

It is bizzare in the least for the mgmt of this team to indicate they are going to shut him down any day now only to indicate a few days later that he could be put back in the starting rotation. MacPhail and Hendry need to figure this out with some objectivity if they want to see ANY value from Wood for the remainder of his contract and come to a final decision.

Edited August 11, 2005 by RonCey

[Larry Horse]

That pretty much sums it up.

[abuck1220]

Asked if Wood could move into a new role, Baker replied: "Most definitely. But we don't know how much his arm can handle."

 

so let's find out!

 

geesh, what is wrong with that guy????

[snoodmonger]

Kerry should have his surgery tomorrow, if possible. There's just no reason to continue playing him. let's get the shoulder cleaned up so he can be ready to go next spring.

[AC000000]

Kerry should have his surgery tomorrow, if possible. There's just no reason to continue playing him. let's get the shoulder cleaned up so he can be ready to go next spring.

=D>

[CubfaninCA]

Have him ready to relieve Williams on Sunday. Give him 2-3 innings and see how he holds up.