Stretched staff may expand to 13
CUBS IN BRIEF
The Cubs are considering a 13-man pitching staff as a means to survive a grueling 20-day stretch in which their starting rotation has not pitched enough innings.
If they make that call, it could mean sending out a position player instead of a pitcher when Kerry Wood is activated from the disabled list Friday. And that could hinge on how deep Sean Marshall pitches into today's series finale against Philadelphia.
"We've got to start getting more out of our starting pitchers," manager Lou Piniella said after Rich Hill lasted only 4 2/3 innings Wednesday. "We might have to go to 13 pitchers before this thing's over. Don't think we haven't talked about it.
"The problem is we're in a stretch of 20 games [in 20 days]. We've got 11 more in a row, and we're going to Colorado [next week], where you use pitchers.
"We've got to start getting some more innings out of our starters. Hopefully, I can stretch these kids out a little bit more and get them deeper in the game."
As far as Wood, 30, is concerned, he just wants to pitch again and join the freight train that his teammates already have running at full throttle.
"I just want to be a piece of the puzzle," said Wood, who completed his final minor-league rehab appearance Tuesday night without problems in his surgically repaired right shoulder. He's looking to return to a major-league mound for the first time since June 6 of last year.
"Keeping him healthy is what we have to concern ourselves with," said Piniella, who anticipates building Wood up in middle relief with an eye toward a probable move to a setup role. "We won't overuse him."
Wood's return raises the volume on a weekend series featuring the hated NL East-leading New York Mets and Tom Glavine's second attempt Sunday to earn his 300th win.
"I don't know how much hype there'll be with me coming and pitching one inning," Wood said, "but adrenaline's probably going to be my main focus, trying to control that. It's easier said than done sometimes, but I'm sure I'll be glad to get that first one out of the way."
"The first thing I did when I got in here was call my parents," pitcher Michael Wuertz said as the CNN broadcast showing the collapsed bridge in Minneapolis played in the background.
Wuertz, an Austin, Minn., native with family and friends in the Twin Cities area, learned of the rush-hour bridge collapse over the Mississippi River when he ducked in the clubhouse during the third inning.
"I've been over the bridge probably 100 times," said Wuertz, whose family was all accounted for Wednesday night.
Outfielder Jacque Jones also traveled that stretch of I-35W during seven seasons with the Twins and seemed more affected by that news than being in first place on Aug. 1.
"Some people were maybe headed to the game or doing some things with their families [when the bridge gave way]," he said. "It's terrible."
• The Cubs have decided to back catcher Henry Blanco off his injury-rehab schedule for a couple more weeks because of persistent soreness in his left shoulder. It's unclear whether it's related to the herniated disc in his neck that originally put him on the disabled list.
• Third baseman Aramis Ramirez got a scheduled day off to ease the strain on his left knee. He's expected back in the lineup this afternoon.