CHICAGO (AP) - Cubs closer Kerry Wood faced batters on Sunday but probably will not return from a pesky blister on his right index finger until later this week.
Sidelined since July 11, Wood had hoped to return from the disabled list during Chicago's upcoming series against Houston. Instead, manager Lou Piniella said he likely will not be activated until the Cubs host St. Louis next weekend.Wood threw 30 pitches to hitters from the Wrigley Field mound after warming up and getting some work done in the bullpen hours before Cubs hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. And he did it without the protective pad he had worn recently.
"He felt OK, looked a little rusty - that's to be expected," Piniella said. "The important thing now is to see how he feels tomorrow. After that, I'll put together a schedule to get him back pitching."
Wood declined comment before the game and was unavailable afterward, but Piniella said the right-hander felt no pain. He also said Wood probably wouldn't need a minor league rehab stint.
"He threw a lot of breaking balls, fastballs and a few cutters," Piniella said. "He didn't feel (pain). Initially, he had problems getting the breaking ball over and then it started getting more consistent as he finished up. Look, forget all of that. What's important is to see how it feels tomorrow. And if it feels fine, then we can step it up and get him ready to pitch."
Wood was 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 24 saves in 29 chances before being put on the DL for the 12th time in his 10-year career.
