Wood and Prior Throw Off the Mound, Photo Day at Fitch Park and Opening Day Starter Announced
Did everyone get the games they wanted? How were the refreshments in the waiting room? While the Cubs Faithful was buying up tickets at the speed of light, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior threw off a mound for the first time this spring. According to a report from the AP and found on FoxSports.com, both threw off the mound on Friday. Prior threw around 20 pitches and Wood threw around 15.
Also the Cubs had picture day on Friday along with the Reds announcement of their possible Opening Day Starter. Now to the rest of Friday…. Here is what Mark Prior said after throwing from the mound on Friday:
“It felt a little awkward,” said Prior, who went 11-7 with a 3.67 ERA last year. “But it was good to get up there and to start working to try to get down there on a nice angle and see a guy with a catcher’s mitt and get after it.”
Here are Larry Rothschild’s comments about Kerry Wood on Friday after throwing from the mound:
“He threw off the mound toward the end, really just to get him up on the hill and get used to the slope again and get his balance and things like that right,” Rothschild said.
Bob Nightengale from USA Today was the latest to weigh in on his thoughts on the Cubs upcoming season on Friday. His main concern for the Cubs is the health of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.
Athlon Sports released its Cubs Preview as well. It is a good read, but nothing really new other than a few tidbits. Their projected 2006 Cubs lineup: Pierre, Walker, Lee, Ramirez, Jones, Murton, Barrett and Cedeno.
According to a report in the Chicago Tribune and on Reds.com, the Reds will likely go with Aaron Harang on Opening Day, April 3rd in Cincinnati. Jerry Narron has not made the official announcement yet. Harrang was 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 games in 2005 including a 3-0 record in 4 starts vs. the Cubs with a 3.91 ERA. The Cubs have not released who will be their Opening Day pitcher, but my money is on Carlos Zambrano.
It was photo day at Fitch Park. Yahoo Sports has photos of Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, Jacque Jones, Derrek Lee and Todd Walker.
Check back for updates from Spring Training and the CCO will be in Mesa all next weekend for the first 4 games of Spring Training.
Well that’s the news….and I’m sticking to it!!