[simple simon]

Although the Cubs will decline their $13.5 million option on Kerry Wood, they are continuing with his rehabilitation plan as if he will be pitching for them in the future.

When asked if Wood would be ready for spring training, trainer Mark O'Neal replied: "It's a goal he has and a goal, obviously, we have."

The Cubs have to let Wood, who is working out in Arizona, know by mid-November if they won't pick up his option, which is a foregone conclusion. They will buy him out for $3 million, then apparently try to re-sign him at a much lower salary.

If Wood does return, it will not be as a starter. O'Neal said there are no plans to stretch him out past 30 or so pitches

"I think he is pretty much resolved he will pitch out of the bullpen," O'Neal said.

ChicagoSports.com - Cubs want Wood—for less money, in relief

if that solves his injury problems it could dramatically improve the cubbies over-night eh ?

sounds like a real good plan

[MJHMarc]

I don't Kerry Wood has a future as a starter anymore. In only three years of experience in the majors, he has suffered from too many injuries to count. The best I can see him do is come out of the bullpen, though I'm not sure how long he will last. He looked like one of the top pitchers coming out of the minors, but now it wouldn't surprise me if he retires pitching for less than a decade in the majors.

[EmpireWF]

Boy, what could've been. It's a smart move to put him in the pen if he has any chance to be a pitcher in the majors again. Hopefully he can stay healthy for a stretch because he always had nasty stuff.