Star duo near return for Cubs

By wire services
Published August 4, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Kerry Wood and Nomar Garciaparra are expected to rejoin the Cubs by this weekend, and the team hopes they can help Chicago make a push in the NL wild-card race.

Wood said his right arm was loose and feeling good after a couple of minor-league rehabilitation outings. He expects to pitch out of the bullpen the rest of the season to help reduce the strain on his arm.

"Obviously, I've got to get through the season and stay healthy the rest of the way," Wood said Wednesday. "But at this particular point, my role is to come out of the pen and help the team that way."

Wood pitched in relief for his second rehabilitation appearance Tuesday night and retired all four batters he faced for Class A Peoria. The right-hander, on the disabled list since July 20 with right shoulder inflammation, threw 12 of 15 pitches for strikes.

"The pain went away," Wood said. "I don't have any pain when I'm throwing."

Garciaparra went 1-for-3 Wednesday in his final rehabilitation game at Double-A West Tenn, then said he would rejoin the Cubs in Philadelphia immediately. The All-Star shortstop has been on the disabled list since injuring his groin in April.

SEATTLE PHENOM TO DEBUT: He's 19, but when Felix Hernandez stands on the mound, he looks anything but a teenager. The 6-foot-3 right-hander already cracks 97 mph with his fastball, and his biting curve mystifies batters as it tumbles through the strike zone.

After less than three seasons of professional ball, Hernandez is ready to show off his stuff to major-league hitters. The phenom will debut today when the Mariners close out a three-game series in Detroit.

"Felix is Felix," said catcher Ryan Christianson, Hernandez's batterymate at Triple-A Tacoma. "When he's good he's good, and when he's bad, he's good."

Hernandez dominated the Pacific Coast League, going 9-4 with a league-leading 2.25 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 88 innings.

MANAGER'S NEPHEW KILLED: Lance Cpl. Timothy Michael Bell Jr., a nephew of Royals manager Buddy Bell, was among the 14 Marines killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. There was a moment of silence before the game at Fenway Park.

DODGERS: Former Devil Rays left-hander Wilson Alvarez plans to return to the team today, four days after leaving to ponder his future.

INDIANS: The team restructured third baseman Aaron Boone's contract for 2006 and exercised its option on it. The new deal also includes a mutual option for 2007.

RED SOX: Manny Ramirez bruised the right side of his chest and face and was day to day after colliding with shortstop Edgar Renteria while both chased a fly ball in short left in the second inning.

YANKEES: Right-hander Carl Pavano, out with shoulder soreness, allowed three runs and six hits in six innings in a rehabilitation start for Class-A Tampa. The team hopes Pavano can rejoin the rotation next week.

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:06:05]