Jae Kuk Ryu brought up from Iowa, Angel Guzman sent down to Iowa, an Update on Mark Prior and Kerry Wood to Start on Thursday against the Nationals
According to several reports out of Chicago including Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000, the Cubs have called up Jae Kuk Ryu from AAA Iowa and sent Angel Guzman back to AAA Iowa.
Jae Kuk Ryu was 1-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 7 games for Iowa this season. In 42 innings Ryu allowed 37 hits, 15 earned runs, 15 walks and struck out 34. Ryu will be placed in the bullpen. After Friday’s performance of Angel Guzman it was just a matter of time before Guzman was sent back to the minors.
Updated – 12:40pm C.T. with Kerry Wood Information Angel Guzman was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in 18 innings of work. Guzman allowed 20 hits and gave up 14 earned runs while striking out 20, but the most alarming stat was 16 walks in 18 innings. Guzman has control problems and his injury riddled seasons for the past three years have not allowed him to gain any much needed experience.
Ryu will pitch out of the bullpen that has already thrown a lot of innings, in 12 games this season the starters have not made it past the 5th inning.
Mark Prior – Bruce Levine also reported on Saturday morning that Mark Prior could be back with the Cubs by the end of June or the first week of July for the White Sox series at Wrigley. He should start his rehab assignment soon if he does not suffer anymore setbacks.
Update on Kerry Wood – According to several reports out of Chicago on Saturday morning and a report on Cubs.com, Kerry Wood will make his first start of the season on Thursday, May 18th against the Washington Nationals. Previous reports are indicated Wood would start on Wednesday, May 17th.
Wood will throw a side session on Sunday and one more before Thursday’s start. Angel Guzman was scheduled to make the start on May 17th against the Nationals, but with him being sent to the Iowa Cubs on Saturday and the off day on Monday, could Greg Maddux move up a day in the rotation?