Kerry Wood scratched because of back spasms

[milwaukeesportsfan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2008/03/19/cubs.wood.ap/index.html

 

Could this be an ongoing thing for him? Apparently, he's had this problem before.

[RyDogg66]

and so it begins.

[craigharmann]

What's he going to be like by the time he's 40? Is he going to be able to move? Or is he going to be wheelchair bound? OK, no twisted testicles or anal fissures yet for him, but man, he's had serious physical issues. Wow

[TooLiveBrew]

Were there concerns with Wood's delivery as a prospect? I know Prior was always lauded for good mechanics, so obviously injuries can slam you anyway, but I'm just curious about Kerry.

[BrewCrewForever]

And the beat goes on with Kerry Wood.

[PeaveyFury]

Water is wet.

 

John Madden likes Brett Favre.

 

Kerry Wood is hurt.

[BrewCrewForever]

Water is wet.

 

John Madden likes Brett Favre.

 

Kerry Wood is hurt.

Nice! Three of the most true statements I have ever read.

 

[trwi7]

Water is wet.

I'm going to need some proof of this.

[Fear The Chorizo]

i find this almost comical since Wood was mentioned as the frontrunner to be the Cubs' closer, and this was supposed to be the first time in spring training that he was going to pitch in back-to-back games. sometimes people forget, but Wood still has all kinds of shoulder issues (not to mention a chronically bad lower back). he was on the verge of retiring last season until he realized he could get by throwing every so often out of the bullpen with his arm...he's good for an inning every third day or so, but it's asking alot of a guy teetering on the edge of completely fraying his shoulder to pitch as a closer, with how demanding it is during the course of a season (pitching on consecutive days, warming up many others)

[TheBrewer]

"And now the Cubs closer Kerry automatic injury Wood is on to pitch the 9th............................................................................ooooh he just threw a wild pitch and the trainers are out there, he says he's fine so he's gonna keep going........................................................................................................well it looks like Kerry is gonna be taken out of the game after throwing 5 consecutive wild pitches, and allowing 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning"

[cubfan1126]

"And now the Cubs closer Kerry automatic injury Wood is on to pitch the 9th............................................................................ooooh he just threw a wild pitch and the trainers are out there, he says he's fine so he's gonna keep going........................................................................................................well it looks like Kerry is gonna be taken out of the game after throwing 5 consecutive wild pitches, and allowing 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning"

When you make a joke, you really ought to try to make it somewhat realistic.

How did he get the out for 1/3 inning?

Did he come in to the game with at least 4 guys on base? Because I sure as heck can't figure out how to score 5 runs on 5 WP's otherwise.

[cubfan1126]

Also I really don't believe back spasms have anything to do with delivery style/motion. I get 'em occassionally and I haven't thrown a baseball in about 10 years. However, being almost 60 might have a lot to do with it.

 

Kerry has been criticized for throwing across his body (whatever that means) which has caused strain on the shoulder and/or the elbow. Prior on the other hand was said to have perfect mechanics. Go figure! I'm sure this is no less frustrating to me as when you guys hear next month that Big Ben is going back on the DL.

[Hammer]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:xgWr9_c1oBg73M:http://eatourbrains.com/EoB/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/troll.jpg

 

 

I agree though, that scenario is not very realistic. Kerry Wood probably couldn't find his way to the mound right now...

 

Mound: "Hi Kerry - I'm over here."

Wood: "Wow, I haven't seen you in ages. How've you been old buddy?"

[TheBrewer]

Cubfan1126 ah now I see why you poke holes in my joke... I wasn't relating it to this latest injury in specific, and it was 3am when I wrote that I was just throwing something out there.., but the "...............................................................................", means play action is going on, I was skipping ahead to certain spots.. Thanks

[cubfan1126]

That's cool.

 

I certainly am not so naive as to believe that another team's forum wouldn't be taking a pot shot at the situation.

[Bring Back the Stein]

"And now the Cubs closer Kerry automatic injury Wood is on to pitch the 9th............................................................................ooooh he just threw a wild pitch and the trainers are out there, he says he's fine so he's gonna keep going........................................................................................................well it looks like Kerry is gonna be taken out of the game after throwing 5 consecutive wild pitches, and allowing 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning"

When you make a joke, you really ought to try to make it somewhat realistic.

How did he get the out for 1/3 inning?

Did he come in to the game with at least 4 guys on base? Because I sure as heck can't figure out how to score 5 runs on 5 WP's otherwise.

 

Yes, let's make it realistic. With, say, Ryan Dempster starting, there really won't be that many save situations for the Cubs. And, Wood will make more appearances at Make a Wish fundraising golf outings this year than as the Cubs closer.

[TheBwaz]

There is no pot to be shot here. Sure, Wood made the All-Star team in 03, but threw only a 140 IP in 04, 66 in 05, 19 in 06 and 24 last year. In that time he has racked up 0 saves. Ever since breaking thru in 98 he has missed serious time (like all of 99).

 

You might as well hang a 34 next to that drunken weirdo's set of glasses, because Wood is done. Thank St. Dusty of the Reds for that. If only Wood had turned 37 in 2004, he would have been set in Duty's eyes.

 

Now THAT is a pot shot.

[Gopher74]

Kerry has been criticized for throwing across his body (whatever that means) which has caused strain on the shoulder and/or the elbow. Prior on the other hand was said to have perfect mechanics. Go figure! I'm sure this is no less frustrating to me as when you guys hear next month that Big Ben is going back on the DL.

No, it's probably more frustrating for you because Ben Sheets has absolutely nothing in common with Kerry Wood or Mark Prior. In fact, I don't understand why Sheets ever gets lumped in with those two. Sheets has never had shoulder issues. He's never had elbow surgery, and Sheets worst years as far as IP would be a great year for Prior this year as a starter, and would be a great three year run for Wood.

 

I think it's just because he's an ace, and he has been bit with the injury bug as of late that people equate the two, but there's not much to it.

 

By the way, I'm sure you didn't mean that to be a real serious statement or to spark a debate, it's just that a lot of people say Sheets is like Wood and Prior and I just don't see it.

 

 

 

And throwing across your body means just that. You throw across your body. As you release the ball, your arm comes on an angle across your body.

 

[cubfan1126]

You might as well hang a 34 next to that drunken weirdo's set of glasses, because Wood is done. Thank St. Dusty of the Reds for that. If only Wood had turned 37 in 2004, he would have been set in Duty's eyes.

 

Now THAT is a pot shot.

Muscular back spasms are nothing more than twitches - can be somewhat debilitating but anybody (especially an athlete) can bounce back to original form in 2 days.

 

Let's see - Saturday: 1 IP 3 batters 2 K's - Sunday: 1 IP 3 batters 2 K's

Yeah I agree - He's done. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif

 

And the pot shot was really at Dusty - big deal - he deserves all the pot shots anybody can throw

[Bikeage77]

1250 just said that Pinella named Wood the Cubs' closer. Good luck with that north side!!!

[tristarscoop]

I thought even children learned that when you touch a hot stove, you get burned.

 

What's the old saying about the definition of insanity is when you do something over and over again and expect different results?

[Thurston Fluff]

Let's see - Saturday: 1 IP 3 batters 2 K's - Sunday: 1 IP 3 batters 2 K's

Yeah I agree - He's done.

 

No offense inteded but if you need to use 2 innings of spring training baseball to make a point it really shows how weak the point is. I agree these back spasms are nothing to get all worked up about. What I'm not sure about is how is a guy who has poor mechanics and a long history of arm problems going to handle the rigors of the bullpen? For my part if I was a Cub fan I'd hope they used him like the Brewers used Grahm Lloyd or Matt Wise. Never two days in a row and very few bullpen warm ups without getting in a game. Then they might expect him to pitch for a major portion of the season. As it is I'm very skeptical. You don't have to be a fan of another team to see the potential for problems with Wood as the closer.

[cubfan1126]

The only point I'm making is that he's NOT done.

Is he the right guy to be closer? Only time will tell.