CHICAGO -- Kerry Wood got a scare when he was hit under the
chin by a line drive Thursday in his final simulated game before an
anticipated minor league rehab assignment next week.
Wood, on the disabled list since May 12 with a sore triceps
muscle, threw four innings to teammates Paul Bako, Jose Macias and
Tom Goodwin.
Bako hit a hard liner through the middle and Wood was able to
deflect the ball with his glove and slow it down before it clipped
him under the chin. He shook it off and continued his outing.
"I didn't see it," Wood said.
"Part of the simulation," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said.
If he feels fine Friday after his 60-pitch workout Thursday,
Wood hopes to make a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and
then return to the Cubs' rotation for one start before the All-Star
break, probably in St. Louis on July 10 or July 11.
"I don't want to miss any more starts," said Wood, 3-3 in
seven starts this season. "If I get some good work in and get my
pitch count up to 75 or 80 pitches and have everything go well, I'd
like to get back and make a start before the All-Star break."
Wood said the Cubs have taken the cautious approach because he
doesn't want the injury to be worrisome in the second half of the
season or in the future. He missed the entire 1999 season after
elbow ligament replacement surgery.