After all the off-season talk about the Cubs' offensive and bullpen woes, it's all pretty much moot if their starting rotation isn't healthy and effective the entire year. Yes, the Cubs would have made the playoffs last year with a more effective closer. But they would have competed for the division crown had Prior and Wood been healthy the entire year.

And now both are question marks again. Wood is out with a sore shoulder and Prior's out with a sore elbow. The Cubs are, once again, agonizingly trying to downplay the injuries, but until I see Wood and Prior out there on the mound pitching 30 starts in a row without trouble, I'll assume they're damaged goods.

Bad news for Dave Hansen -- and for the Cubs' bench -- as MLB.com reports that "will be out two to three weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy Sunday night." Given the length of time he will be out, this likely means the end of Hansen's attempt to make the team. He would have been a nice addition to the bench.

Kerry Wood has tightness in his shoulder. Now Mark Prior has inflammation in his elbow. Cubs fans sweat. MLB.com reports: "Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior will miss his next spring start Tuesday because of inflammation in his elbow, which developed after his first outing. Prior, who did not pitch until June last year because of problems with his Achilles and elbow, had an MRI exam done Sunday on his right elbow. . . . There is no damage to the ligament and no damage to the ulnar nerve, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said."

ESPN.com had an "Insider" article by Jerry Crasnick on Andy Sisco, the lefty drafted by the Royals from the Cubs in the Rule V draft. GoatRiders.org has a summary of the article for non-subscribers.