General Cubs Spring Training

[redwhitenblue]

The chair thing is real:

Kerry Wood: Already Throwing

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Thursday, March 9, 2006
Update: Wood, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday, already was throwing a ball Wednesday -- and he wasn't sitting in a chair, either, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: "He stood up and threw without putting a lot of pressure on the knee,'' pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Just basically tossing 90 balls to keep the motion and looseness through the shoulder.'' Wood is due back in early May.

Kerry Wood: (Knee) Rehab Continues to Make Progress

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Monday, March 6, 2006
Update: Wood (knee) expects to be doing throwing drills from a chair as soon as Thursday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: "I'm sure the second day after (the surgery), we'll get in a chair to just keep the arm going," he said. "I should be able to play flat-footed catch four or five days after. We'll try to keep the swelling down and not get too far behind... My shoulder feels better the more I throw. I don't want to miss more than one day doing something with it, and that will be Tuesday. Wednesday, I'd like to do some shoulder work." Wood is expected back in early May.

the chair thing is real-ly a joke...he never threw from a chair, and probably only would've if his knee was smashed while doing surgery...the knee procedure is less than minor, it's almost undetectable except for a little stiffness immediately after

[cubmanjay]

The chair thing is real:

Kerry Wood: Already Throwing

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Thursday, March 9, 2006
Update: Wood, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday, already was throwing a ball Wednesday -- and he wasn't sitting in a chair, either, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: "He stood up and threw without putting a lot of pressure on the knee,'' pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Just basically tossing 90 balls to keep the motion and looseness through the shoulder.'' Wood is due back in early May.

Kerry Wood: (Knee) Rehab Continues to Make Progress

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Monday, March 6, 2006
Update: Wood (knee) expects to be doing throwing drills from a chair as soon as Thursday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: "I'm sure the second day after (the surgery), we'll get in a chair to just keep the arm going," he said. "I should be able to play flat-footed catch four or five days after. We'll try to keep the swelling down and not get too far behind... My shoulder feels better the more I throw. I don't want to miss more than one day doing something with it, and that will be Tuesday. Wednesday, I'd like to do some shoulder work." Wood is expected back in early May.

[Bob Sacamento]

haha thanks. I don't know, it just sounded really odd and then picturing Kerry Wood sitting on a chair and throwing seemed even more odd. So yeah i just looked and couldn't find a link either so i guess it was just poking fun at Woody!

Yeah, Woody didn't throw from a chair that was just ESPN having fun at Wood's expense, something they've done more of recently. The docs did give him a cane to use but the hard nosed Texan is "too big" to use it.

The medial meniscus surgery is nothing major and shouldn't hinder Wood in his rehab. In fact, the meniscus surgery he had recently will heal and rebound quicker than the arthoscopic surgery he had on his shoulder in August.

[Fukudome = God]

Wood ahead of schedule?
I don't see anything about throwing from a chair. That could just be a shoulder workout or the guys at ESPN were poking fun at Wood.

BTW, sorry for my absence, I've had volleyball tryouts the past few days and haven't had a lot of time for BBF.

haha thanks. I don't know, it just sounded really odd and then picturing Kerry Wood sitting on a chair and throwing seemed even more odd. So yeah i just looked and couldn't find a link either so i guess it was just poking fun at Woody!

[E.Banks#14]

Wood ahead of schedule?
I don't see anything about throwing from a chair. That could just be a shoulder workout or the guys at ESPN were poking fun at Wood.

BTW, sorry for my absence, I've had volleyball tryouts the past few days and haven't had a lot of time for BBF.

[Fukudome = God]

Hey, i just heard on national sports radio that Kerry Wood is gonna pitch from a CHAIR?!?! lol wtf is that about. I don't have time for a link, if noone else can confirm this bizarre story i will try to find something, but i jus heard it on espn radio. lol

[Bob Sacamento]

This is a week old, from the Tribune. Just in case anyone missed it.



Non-roster invitee...
Was Grissom injured last year, or did he just stink? If he wasn't injured, then I have a pretty good idea what he can do too.

He had a banged up right knee and later missed time due to a strained left hamstring.

[burger eater]

This is a week old, from the Tribune. Just in case anyone missed it.

Veteran outfielder Marquis Grissom doesn't have to put up big numbers to make the team, even though he is a non-roster invitee.

"He doesn't have to have a great spring," Baker said. "Spring training is for the young, especially early because they're in shape in no time and, No. 2, most young guys hit fastballs. Pitchers aren't ready to throw good breaking balls. It's hard to throw them here in Arizona because of the air."

Baker said he would evaluate Grissom by his health, speed and bat speed.

"You want to see progress as spring goes on," Baker said. "I have a pretty good idea of what he can do. I'm looking for just what he has left."

Non-roster invitee...
Was Grissom injured last year, or did he just stink? If he wasn't injured, then I have a pretty good idea what he can do too.

[E.Banks#14]

A Few Articles

• Top prospect Pie in right frame of mind.
• Cubs Season Relies on Health.
• Guaranteed Lead Off Man is new to Dusty.

[E.Banks#14]

Wednesday, March 8:Cubs 8 - Padres 13

• Matt Murton hit his first homer of the spring today, but it was in a losing effort. John Mabry had some trouble in the field; he committed two run scoring errors at third base. He was able to go 1 for 2 with a double at the plate. Juan Pierre led off today and went 2 for 3 with one RBI; he attempted one steal but was caught. Neifi Perez got some action at shortstop today. He took advantage of the opportunity and went 2 for 3 while scoring 2 runs.
  Designated Hitter Jake Fox's 2 doubles, 1 run, and 1 RBI were impressive. Catcher Geovany Soto capitalized on Michael Barrett's absence today by going 2 for 3 with a double, 1 run, and 1 RBI.
• Left-hander Glendon Rusch gave up five runs (3 earned) on five hits and one walk over three innings in his second start of the spring. Non-Roster invitee and converted catcher Randy Wells also had trouble. He allowed 3 hits and 1 walk which led to 2 runs (1 earned) in his two innings of work. Carmen Pignatiello and David Aardsma each gave up 1 run in 1 inning. John Koronka and Carlos Marmol were the only Cubs pitchers who didn't allow a run today. The lefty Koronka pitched one inning, Marmol recorded 1 out. Mike Wuertz got himself into a jam by walking 3 and giving up 3 hits. He only got two batters out and was charged with 4 runs on a grand slam by Josh Barfield.

Matt Murton homer 3-8-06.JPG
Matt Murton connects on his homerun swing today.
WBC Watch:

• Derrek Lee was 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI as the Designated Hitter for the US team. They lost to Canada by the score of 8 to 6.
• Venezuela beat Italy tonight, Henry Blanco did not get to play.

Tomorrow, Jerome Williams will start against the Rockies' former rookie of the year Jason Jennings.

[rockin500]

nice to see brian corey rebound from that atrocious performance the other day.

[E.Banks#14]

Tuesday, March 7: Cubs 5 - Rangers 6

• The Cubs outhit the Rangers today, but couldn't come out of it with a win. Notables included John Mabry who hit a 2-run double in his first Cactus League appearance because of minor back pain. Angel Pagan kept impressing the Cubs management by doubling twice in three at bats and scoring 1 run. Michael Restovich hit his first homerun of the spring; it was a solo shot. Casey Kopitzke was 2 for 2 with 1 double.
• Greg Maddux pitched two scoreless innings, but was rather wild. He walked the bases loaded with 1 out in the first but managed to escape unharmed. "It's better to be wild out of the strike zone than in it," Maddux said. "It was nice to get out there and pitch again." Recently acquired Brian Boehringer allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 1 inning. Bobby Brownlie, Carlos Marmol, and Will Ohman each gave up 1 run in their inning of work. Ryan Dempster, Scott Eyre, and Brian Corey each pitched 1 scoreless inning.
• Kerry Wood went under the scope today. "It was about a 20-minute procedure, exactly what they were looking for," Chicago trainer Mark O'Neal said. "They went in there and cleaned the meniscus out and didn't find anything in there. The joint surface looked good." Wood might begin light throwing drills in the next day or two. It's possible he could begin playing catch on the field within a week.
• Aramis Ramirez was given antibiotics last night and told to soak his infected right ring fingernail overnight. He probably won't miss more than two or three days.

WBC Watch:

• Derrek Lee hit a solo homer for USA; that 1 run would've been enough to beat Mexico today.
• Carlos Zambrano pitched 2.2 innings against the Dominican Republic and gave up 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks.
• Michael Barrett was 0 for 1 against Mexico today.

Glendon Rusch will pitch against the Padres' Woody Williams Wednesday.

[Cubsfan97]

Has that Corey guy done any other pitching or is he gone already? Hopefully Aramis will be healthy this year. Wellemeyer was good in 2003 and that was it. I don't like him too much anymore. We need to get better pitchers. Im not too sure about Hill either. I can't wait to see how MAddux does.

[rockin500]

somehow i dont think wellemeyer is going to be around much longer. man, what a waste. that guy has a lot of talent, but he has never been able to harness it.

[E.Banks#14]

Monday, March 6: Cubs 12 - Athletics 3

• Youngster Brian Dopirak continued his hot streak with a 2 for 2 day, belting a 3 run HR and scoring 2 runs. Todd Walker, Angel Pagan, and Buck Coats each hit their first HRs of the spring.
• Angel Guzman picked up the win by pitching 2 scoreless innings. Scott Williamson, John Koronka, Carmen Pignatiello, and David Aardsma each pitched 1 scoreless inning. Two Cubs pitchers got into a little trouble. Non-roster invitee Les Walrond gave up 2 runs by allowing 5 hits in 2 innings. Todd Wellemeyer had another weak showing; he walked 2 and allowed 2 hits in his 1 inning of relief in which the A's scored 1 run.
• Jerry Hairston expects to return to the lineup midweek. He felt no effects of yesterday's beaning.
• Aramis Ramirez injured his fingernail, yes, his fingernail, in the first inning of today's game. I can't find any official release about this, but I think I heard that he reinjured an infected nail.

Juan Pierre stretching 3-6-06.JPG
Juan Pierre was held hitless today in 3 at bats, but scored 1 run.

The Cubs will play at home in Mesa tomorrow against the Texas Rangers. Greg Maddux will face up against Josh Rupe.