CHICAGO -- Mark Prior will make his first start of the season Tuesday for the Chicago Cubs when they play San Diego.
Prior was on the disabled list with elbow inflammation and made
one minor league rehab start in Albuquerque with Triple-A Iowa on
April 7. He struggled, giving up seven runs in six innings,
including six in the first. He threw 30 pitches off the mound
Sunday but the Cubs wanted to see how his elbow felt Monday before
making any decisions.
"I feel good and ready to go," Prior said. "I expect to give
us a chance to win the ballgame."
The right-hander is ready to go as long as it
takes, even though manager Dusty Baker will have him on a pitch
count.
"My endurance feels good," Prior said. "I felt good throwing
the other night. Obviously when you step in the ballgame, the
intensity's a littler greater. I feel strong, my arms feels good."
Earlier, the Cubs considered giving Prior an additional rehab
start in the minors Tuesday. He pitched six innings for Triple-A
Iowa in a rehab start in Albuquerque on Thursday, allowing seven
runs. He gave up six in the first inning, then settled in.