Fish4Life Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Cubs' Wood likely done for season MRI reveals partial tear in right rotator cuff MILWAUKEE -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is likely done for the season after an MRI arthrogram Friday revealed a partial tear in his right rotator cuff. The test was conducted Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Cubs athletic trainer Mark O'Neal said Saturday the results explain why the pitcher has struggled to do anything, including playing catch. Wood had undergone an MRI on June 26 in Cincinnati, but that did not include an arthrogram, which is more detailed and provides more information, O'Neal said. Wood was waking up at night with pain in his shoulder, and wasn't responding well to treatment. What's next? "There's different thought processes on how to treat it, and that's to be determined," O'Neal said Saturday. "In all reality, there are significant number of people who have successfully returned conservatively. We're in the process of sending the films out and letting two or three of the specialists in the country look at it and see. That's what Kerry wants to do." The options are conservative treatment or possible arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. "My gut feeling is saying no surgery and strengthen it," Wood said Saturday. "I've still got to get more opinions. Over the next couple weeks we'll do that and go from there." It's been a frustrating season for Wood, 29, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last Aug. 31 that entailed reinforcement of the labrum, debridement of the rotator cuff and debridement of the bursa. He did make four starts, but had to be shut down. O'Neal said they may never know if Wood could've repaired the rotator cuff tear last August. "What we're saying is that his MRIs have shown some irritation to the rotator cuff, which every pitcher has," O'Neal said. "The one he had done [Friday] had significant change from any one that we've seen prior to this one." At least Wood knows something is wrong. "Obviously, I'm not pleased, but at least we found something out," Wood said. "I knew something wasn't right for a little while. We got an answer. It's not what I was looking for, but we got an answer. "I know I'm not crazy now," he said. "I guess it's a relief knowing. Obviously, I would've liked to have gone in and everything be fine and this is part of coming back from surgery and it's rough patches. That's not the case. There's something wrong in there and we'll go forward." Technically, Wood has a partial thickness tear of the infraspinatus tendon, O'Neal said, and there is significant strain in the rotator cuff. His X-rays will be reviewed by other specialists, and then Wood, Cubs team orthopedic specialist Dr. Stephen Gryzlo and others will decide what to do next. "If it's something that's handled surgically, the sooner the better," O'Neal said. "It's a very difficult procedure. That's one of the things Dr. Grzylo explained to Kerry. It's not going in and cleaning out the meniscus in his knee. This is a difficult procedure that needs to be thought about. It's not, 'Yeah, let's do it; no, let's don't.' They'll put a lot of heads together." Wood now has to think about what's best for him and his career. "If I want to keep playing baseball, I have to be positive and keep doing the work that it will take to get back," Wood said. "Yesterday was my feel-sorry-for-myself day. Today, it's time to get back to work." And Wood's goal now? "I haven't gotten that far yet," he said. "I've just been thinking about what we found out last night and how we're going to address it and how we're going to go forward. Obviously, my goal is to pitch again as soon as possible. That's the bottom line. Whether it's the end of this year, next year or three years from now, my goal is to get back and be successful in the big leagues." As to whether Wood will come back as a starter or reliever, that's a decision to be made down the road. "I've got to get throwing and healthy before I make that decision," he said. "I'm not going to say it's a career-threatening thing," O'Neal said. "We can't get the arm 50 percent right now. This has got to heal enough for him to progress so he can pitch." But where? This is the last year of Wood's contract with the Cubs. The right-hander, who burst onto the scene in 1998 with a 20-strikeout game in his fifth big-league start, and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award that season, has a 71-56 record and 3.68 ERA in 189 games. All with the Cubs. "I'm realistic," he said of his future with the Cubs. "Business is business. The organization has been great to me. We'd love to finish it up here. That's talks that will come down the road, too." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 more terrible news for the North Sider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orlumeca Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 What is the big deal him and Prior always go down annually. It is that time of year again with the Cubs doing what they do best and that is lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsJimEdmonds15 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Not surprising.. never is with that team.. I wanna take a chance with him.. I'm crazy like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Not surprising.. never is with that team.. I wanna take a chance with him.. I'm crazy like that! I would give him a shot. You got nothing to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Accord Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 He still gets paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Altamonte Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I just read an article that says they expect him back this season!...well it sez out at least 4 weeks http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5769184?FSO1&ATT=HMA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Name Is Dan Uggla Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. His whole career should've been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. His whole career should've been done. why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChambersWI Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 He still gets paid. I don't know if he'll get that much, especially since he has a torn rotator cuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Name Is Dan Uggla Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. His whole career should've been done. why? http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tea...layer_id=134268 Look at his stats for the past two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. His whole career should've been done. why? http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tea...layer_id=134268 Look at his stats for the past two years. they arent that bad.... and he still has a real good arm, he just cant stay healthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimopain Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I still think Wood's future is as a closer due to his limited arm strength. And he would make a filthy one, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauer7 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I still think Wood's future is as a closer due to his limited arm strength. And he would make a filthy one, too. i like that idea, i think it's too much of a risk for him to come back as a starter--the cubs might be willling to take that chance. but he would make a helluva closer--they need a good one badly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonataArctica121 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I still think Wood's future is as a closer due to his limited arm strength. And he would make a filthy one, too. i like that idea, i think it's too much of a risk for him to come back as a starter--the cubs might be willling to take that chance. but he would make a helluva closer--they need a good one badly. It would work out too, the cubs need to realize dempster is NOT a closer and that Wood should not be starting. I don't know what they are going to do with prior. the both always get injured and Dusty always thinks they will come back ok despite how impatient he is with them and always needs to put them in before they are close to being ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbob1313 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Prior's injured too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauer7 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 Prior's injured too. he is? he's not on the DL? ...he will be soon though :confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Name Is Dan Uggla Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 His career with the Cubs is done. And, crazy enough, I'd say he's the third most desireable pitcher on the free agent market this coming offseason behind Schmidt and Zito. His whole career should've been done. why? http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tea...layer_id=134268 Look at his stats for the past two years. they arent that bad.... and he still has a real good arm, he just cant stay healthy They're mediocre. He's past his prime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen Apple Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Damm thats to bad thats like us always having two of our best pitchers always on the DL things arent looking good for Cubs fans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Altamonte Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Prior complained of stifness in his side but it appears not to be serious, well with Prior you never know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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