Neifi Perez surprises himself, makes Tigers opening day roster
After receiving a daily dose of home cooking from manager Dusty Baker when he was with the Cubs, journeyman Neifi Perez got a taste of humble pie when he was shipped to Detroit at last year's trade deadline, batting a paltry .200 in 21 games with the Tigers.
Kerry ‘Balsa’ Wood to start season on DL again
Just as sure as day becomes night, and winter turns to spring, arm trouble is sending Kerry Wood to the disabled list for his annual season-opening visit, the Cubs announced Monday. This is Wood's 216th career trip to the DL.
Wood and Prior earn new spot on Cubs payroll
Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have only been useful to the Cubs in recent years. This season will be different, the team insists. The Cubs intend to get new value out of the fragile tandem by relegating them to clean-up duties in Wrigley Field's famed bleachers this season.
La Russa makes two pitching changes during DUI arrest
Early Thursday morning, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was found asleep at the wheel by Jupiter, Fla., police. The policeman smelled alcohol and ordered the skipper of the reigning World Series champs to complete a field sobriety test. Always the strategist, La Russa tried to get out of the jam by performing two pitching changes.
Cubs make bold commitment to Murton and Theriot
Preferring to sign aging veterans to multi-million dollar contracts rather than utilizing his young talent, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has taken a 180-degree turn this spring by assuring Matt Murton and Ryan Theriot--who both showed promise as rookies in '06--the team has made them an uncharacteristic commitment despite off-season signings of Cliff Floyd, Daryle Ward and Mark DeRosa.
Podsednik returns to Sox lineup, hits 3 for 4, steals a base and goes...
Although only playing in a "B" game, White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik had quite the day Wednesday. Recovering from a sports hernia, the speedy leadoff hitter went 3 for 4 and stole a base against the Rockies. Topping off Podsednik's great day was the fact he got to go home to his wife Lisa Dergan, Playboy's Miss July 1998.
Prior locks up a starting job
Despite another awful outing this weekend in Cactus League play, Mark Prior locked up a starting spot with Class A Daytona Cubs. Prior gave up four runs on four hits--including a home run--against the lowly Royals, punching his one-way ticket to the minors, where he will start Thursday.
