Rays/MLB

NL: Wood likely to return on Thursday

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 14, 2006

Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, coming back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, most likely will make his first start of the season Thursday when the Cubs play the Nationals.

Wood allowed a run on five hits and struck out three in five innings Friday in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa.

"I had a couple outings where I had real good stuff," said Wood, who also threw five scoreless innings in a rehab start with Class A Peoria last Sunday. "Last night, I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to make good pitches and not make a lot of mistakes. I felt good this morning. It's a good sign."

Wood went on the disabled list three times last season and was relegated to relief work before having surgery on his right shoulder Aug. 31. He finished with a 3-4 record and 4.23 ERA in 21 games that included 10 starts.

"We're very excited to get (Wood) back," manager Dusty Baker said. "It's great to see him in the locker room. He's a big part of this ballclub. He's part of the leadership on our pitching staff."

Also Saturday, the Cubs called up right-handed pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu from Iowa and optioned right-hander Angel Guzman to Triple-A.

DODGERS: Third baseman Bill Mueller will have surgery Monday on his right knee.

PADRES: Right-hander Woody Williams was put on the 15-day DL with a strained left calf.

NATIONALS: Catcher Brian Schneider was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring. The move is retroactive to Thursday. The Nationals recalled Robert Fick, who went on the DL late in spring training with an injured right elbow.

BREWERS TRADE: The Brewers acquired pitcher Brian Shouse from the Rangers in exchange for infielder Enrique Cruz and a player to be determined. Shouse was 3-2 with a 5.23 ERA in 64 appearances for Texas last season.

[Last modified May 14, 2006, 00:50:17]