Five points related to the news that Mark Prior will see Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles on Wednesday due to "posterior rotator-cuff irritation":

1. Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and Larry Rothschild really may have been telling the truth about the reason behind Prior's slow progress this spring; that they really were trying a new, slower program to avoid past problems. But that doesn't matter. I believe Hendry when he says that "the first time he has ever complained of discomfort since the day we got here was today." But many don't. Not after the spring 2004 achilles/elbow public relations failure. The Cubs just can't end up looking good in this situation.

2. We have been here before with Prior, and everything turned up fine. Back shoulder irritation does not mean shoulder surgery is necessary, just as elbow swelling in 2005 didn't mean Tommy John surgery and just as an MRI on his elbow in 2004 didn't mean Tommy John surgery.

3. The Cubs' attitude must be that they cannot count on Prior and that they're good enough to win anyway. We're going to go through this every spring with Prior. When he's healthy, Prior is the best the Cubs have (Zambrano moves ahead because of endurance). When he's not healthy, other pitchers have to use the opportunity given to them to shine.

4. In his article on this latest news, the Trib's Paul Sullivan mentioned the February "internet report" that Prior was having shoulder problems. He did not, however, apologize to Will Carroll for his earlier veiled dismissal of Carroll nor for his continuing confusion of Carroll with the "internet."

5. If Yocum finds something wrong with Prior's shoulder, I believe Hendry will go get a veteran starter, unless Kerry Wood is ready by the time the Cubs need a fifth starter. Hendry will not open the season with Rich Hill in the rotation.

(Hat tip to View from the Bleachers and Cub Town on the Prior news.)