Cubs Team Report 5-25-2006
(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)
TBD. That's the way the Cubs listed Sunday's starter against Atlanta -- to be
determined.
That slot was supposed to go to Kerry Wood, but the Cubs are not sure what to
expect after the way he has reacted to his first two starts after returning from
shoulder surgery.
"He was a little stiff (Tuesday) and it took him awhile to get warmed up," Cubs
manager Dusty Baker said. "We're going to see if he feels good enough to do it
on Sunday or if he needs to skip a turn. It took him a long time to get loose
(60 pitches).
"This is something we will have to deal with, but as time goes on we hope it
will be less and less and less."
Waiting in the wings is rookie Jae Kuk Ryu or veteran Glendon Rusch to fill
Sunday's spot if needed. The Cubs could either skip Wood a start or let him
pitch on Tuesday against Cincinnati.
REPLAY: Greg Maddux had a 3-1 lead with two outs in the bottom of the fifth but
gave up five runs, and the Cubs continued to slide, falling 9-3 to Florida on
Wednesday.
The Marlins entered the three-game series with a seven-game losing streak yet
swept the Cubs and outscored them 23-8. The Cubs have dropped 20 of their last
25.
--story continued below advertisement--
NOTES
--RHP Greg Maddux has gone 0-4 with a no-decision in his last five starts,
including Wednesday's loss to Florida. Maddux gave up four runs in the fifth
inning after retiring the first two batters. The normally calm Maddux lost his
temper and took a bat to a water cooler.
--2B Tony Womack, who hit .467 in his first five games for Triple-A Iowa
after he was released by Cincinnati, could be called up as early as this
weekend. Since Derrek Lee was injured and 2B Todd Walker was moved to first
base, the Cubs haven't been happy with the offensive production of Jerry
Hairston Jr. and Neifi Perez.
--RHP Mark Prior (sore shoulder) threw four innings and 64 pitches in a Rookie
League game in extended spring training in Arizona on Wednesday. The Cubs would
prefer that he works up to five innings before sending him to a minor league
rehab assignment.
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Womack to be called up soon?
The Daily Herald reports the same thing:
Good reports? So a few games in triple-A is more telling than a career of bad hitting (except, of course, when he was all of a sudden decent for the Cardinals in 2004)? Oh, well, it's not like he can be worse than Neifi Perez or Jerry Hairston have been this season.
And it's not like Baker has figured out a plan yet to utilize Ryan Theriot. Called up to provide a spark, Theriot has now been with the big league club for 16 games and has had 5 plate appearances. If Womack comes up, Theriot is going back down to Iowa.
Why the Reds Are Better Than the Cubs
Interesting how Womack at .222 is unacceptable at Cincinnati, but he is much prized by the Cubs. Also, note how Neifi often starts even though his hitting is even worse than Womack's thus far this year.
Interesting how easily satisfied Cubs mgmt. is.................
Womack
It just gets harder every day to take this team seriously. Imagine this being a game of "Jeopardy!"
JIM HENDRY: I'll take "Offensive Sparks" for $800, Alex.
ALEX: You've discovered our daily double! Because you're in the negative, you can wager up to $1000.
JIM HENDRY: I'll do that, Alex.
ALEX: For $1000, here's the answer. "This player would be an ideal addition to a roster that needs an offensive spark."
JIM HENDRY (shakes his head): I should know this, but nothing comes to mind. Who is ... Tony Womack.
(audience laughs because they think he's joking)
ALEX (chuckling): No, I'm sorry, that'll cost you.
Womack Is Not That Bad
Not sure why there is all of this Womack hating. Yes, he batted .222 for the Reds - in only 18 at bats! They released him because they had too many middle infielders and could not find the veteran playing time. He is a career .273 hitter, can play 2nd Base and Left Field, and stole 27 bases last year and 26 the year before. He is also a veteran who has played on winning teams (Cardinals, D-Backs, Yankees). He's a better hitter than Neifi, Hairston, or Theriot, and faster than any of the three, provides a veteran presence, and can play both infield and outfield. I for one hope he is brought up soon. Will he be a savior - no. But he will be an upgrade over the crap we've been throwing out there - yes.
WOMACK
Any player that the Cubs can use is better than the ones out there now.