Wood On Track To Work Out Of Bullpen

It was only 25 pitches, but it was enough to show that Kerry Wood is on the right track.

Wood threw to hitters Saturday at Fitch Park, the first time the Cubs pitcher has faced batters since June 6. It was a positive sign after the right-hander spent the offseason rehabbing from a partial tear in his rotator cuff. He was limited to four starts in 2006 because of problems with his shoulder.

"If I were Kerry Wood, I'd be very pleased with the way I threw," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He looked nice and comfortable out there. He threw the ball nice and easy. [For the] first time out on the mound, [it was] very encouraging."

Wood, penciled in for the Cubs bullpen in this comeback season, could provide a welcome 90-plus mph arm.

"He had some life, threw some real nice breaking pitches," Piniella said. "I'm sure he was probably a little nervous going out there first time out. I'm not talking about [first time] throwing batting practice but getting through the 25 pitches he threw. It was really encouraging."

Next step for Wood will be 35 pitches to hitters. He's a little behind the rest of the pitchers after being slowed this spring by a freak accident when he fell out of his hot tub and bruised his chest. The right-hander could see Cactus League action next weekend.
Source: MLB.com