Wood to Have His Shoulder Examined

Cubs' Kerry Wood, who has a history of arm trouble, felt tightness in his pitching shoulder on Wednesday. (Paul Connors -- AP)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood returned to Chicago yesterday to have his right shoulder examined.

Wood felt tightness in his pitching shoulder Wednesday and left a spring training game before the third inning. He had an MRI exam before heading to Chicago, Cubs Manager Dusty Baker said.

"He's such a valuable commodity," Baker said.

Wood missed two months last season because of tendinitis in his right triceps. He was sidelined for the 1999 season after elbow ligament replacement surgery.

"After what happened last year, this is just precautionary," Baker said. "It was just a matter of him going back and seeing our team doctor. Right now, it's nothing. We just decided to do this for a precautionary sake."

Slated to be the Opening Day starter, Wood might miss at least one spring training start. Baker said Wood made the right decision to come out of Wednesday's game.

"You don't want to take a chance," Baker said. "I'm glad he is mature enough to stop when he felt that tightness. In the past, he might have kept trying to pitch. You just got to be safe at this point."

Wood was 8-9 with a 3.72 ERA in 22 starts last season.

-- From News Services