Kerry Wood makes big strides in recovery of shoulder fatigue and will likely return on Sunday-MLB
Good news spreads across the Chicago Cubs’ camp as the manager Dale Sveum talks of the improvement of Kerry Wood who was put on the 15-days Disabled list after a shoulder fatigue.
Although he is not going at his best in the season so far with 11.57 ERA and without a save, his career record tells how big a role he can play in later part of the season.
By the time he was sent to DL, there was little hope that he will be recovering as early as he is right now. After all anything relating to shoulder for a pitcher is always a scary proposition.
When he will return is not certain yet, but as per the reports, possibility of his playing in game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday is fairly bright.
Manager Dale Sveum while expressing optimism of his return did rule out any attempt to hurry him up in the season. As if he expects a huge contribution down in the season from him, he clarifies that he will be allowed complete time before being pushed on
the mound.
Therefore, even when Wood is out of DL, he will not be brought to the line-up right away.
“Everything’s going good; he feels a lot better,” Sveum said. “We’ll just keep building that up. We’re not putting any timetable on it. We’re just going to make sure that he’s ready to go when we activate him.”
On being asked of his chance on Sunday against the Phillies, manager set the criteria right: if he is good enough and can throw where he wants, he can be very much on the rotation.
“It’ll be close,” Sveum said. “I’m not going to say it’s going to be that exact day or not. We need to go out and throw his curveball, too, off the mound, just really make sure that everything’s good.”
An incredible 63 career saves and 3.66 ERA he has are yet to reflect on his performance in the season. The manager will hope that fairly mediocre outings he has in the season will just be an exception and as he comes back, he will be at his very best.
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