Kerry Wood already in mid-season form

Mark Prior, now with the Padres, has successfully made it through most of Spring Training without re-injuring himself, which means that unless the laws of the universe have changed…

“Look, we do have one setback with Kerry {Wood} … and he’s not going to be able to pitch today,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella stated for reporters. This marks the beginning of one of the biggest tests for any Cubs manager: finding ways to say this sentence to reporters without making it seem repetitive.

“It has nothing to do with his shoulder, or elbow, it’s just with his back. He went to see a doctor, and hopefully we’ll get him out there (Thursday) or the next day.” Piniella added with a Dusty Baker like practiced ease.

Not bad - a nod to the classic Wood injuries of the past, but establishing a brand new direction for the future. Piniella even sounds like he might sincerely believe what he’s saying, which is a pretty good indication that he himself isn’t a Cubs fan.

Meanwhile, in other news, somewhere out there a Cincinnati Reds minor league pitching coach is waving a tearful goodbye to the great career he foresaw for Homer Bailey.