(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) It was a decision that was criticized last year.

And it's still being questioned.

The decision to let Kerry Wood pitch in 11 games in relief as opposed to allowing him to have shoulder surgery in late July or early August continues to be a hot topic in the wake of Wood not starting the 2006 season on time.

Wood, who had the surgery performed Aug. 31, threw five shutout innings in a minor league rehab start for Single-A Peoria on Sunday night and struck out 12 hitters. He will make another rehab appearance on Friday for Triple-A Iowa and could be in a Cubs uniform pitching against Washington on May 17.

Returning in mid-May was not what the Cubs or Wood had in mind last August when he had the surgery, but he defended the move, citing the Cubs were still in playoff contention until he was shut down for good in 2005.

"That's looking back, and no one was asking that question when I was doing it," Wood said. "Everybody wants to ask that question a month into the season. If I would have gone out in early August last year, I would have been ridiculed for giving up on the team. I made the right decision. We went as long as we could with it. I did what I could to help the team.

"There are obstacles with any surgery. I think we've overcome most of them."

REPLAY: The Cubs were swept by San Diego in a four game series for the first time in history when the Padres won an 8-3 contest at Petco Park on Monday night.

That gives the Cubs seven straight losses, and they have been outscored 36-8 in that span. Greg Maddux could not get out of the fourth as he gave up seven runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.

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NOTES, QUOTES

 --RHP Greg Maddux, who was untouchable in April, was rocked again on Monday night for his second poor outing in the month of May. In his last two starts, Maddux has allowed 12 runs in 8 2/3 innings.

--RHP Angel Guzman, who is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in his first three major league starts, could be on the hot seat when Kerry Wood returns. Wood could be back from a shoulder injury on March 17 and either Guzman or Rich Hill figure to return to Triple-A Iowa when he comes back. Guzman walked 11 batters in 15 innings. "It seems like I haven't been capable of controlling my fastball and throw strikes," Guzman said. "To be successful, I have to do that."

--CF Juan Pierre, who opened this road trip going 5-for-20, was adamant about not wanting time off, even though manager Dusty Baker was mulling it. "I don't want a day off," Pierre said. "I don't care if I'm 0-for-50. I feel I can play good defense or do something to help the team win. The more you get out there, the more chances you have to help the team be successful."

--OF Michael Restovich, who was hitting .167 in just 12 at-bats with the parent squad, was sent to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

--INF Ryan Theriot was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to the parent squad on Monday and will likely get time as a backup second baseman and shortstop. Theriot was with the club last September and although he is considered a top defensive player, he was hitting .282 with Iowa and the Cubs could use a hot bat in light of their recent hitting woes.

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