Woods on the DL - YES!

[Kirkendall]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs aren't taking any chances with Kerry Wood.

Wood went on the disabled list Thursday after the Cubs decided they didn't want the right-hander returning to the rotation until his sore triceps is completely healed. Wood threw 24 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday morning to see if he was ready to come back, possibly as early as Sunday.

"Woody's session went extremely well and he feels about 95 percent,'' general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't want him going out there Sunday at even 95 percent. We're going to take the conservative route.

"He really could pitch Sunday,'' Hendry added. "I don't have any doubts about that. But 95 percent on May 20, that's not good enough. It's going to be 100 percent.''

The move was backdated to May 12, the day after Wood left a game after two innings because of tightness in his right triceps. A five-game suspension that Wood had completed Wednesday night for confronting plate umpire Eric Cooper on April 17 about balls and strikes was reinstated.

"I think what will happen is the suspension will be reinstated, as will the appeal,'' said Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office. "So we will be at status quo.''

Wood, 3-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 52 strikeouts, will be eligible to come off the disabled list next Thursday, an off day for the Cubs.

Tests on Wood last week showed inflammation in his triceps, but no tears. He rested for a few days before starting to throw again Monday. In his bullpen session Thursday, he threw fastballs, sliders and curveballs during his bullpen session, working out of the windup and out of the stretch.

"I didn't have any pain again today,'' Wood said. "We're just trying to make sure we're not going to have any relapses and have to miss any more time. We're being more safe than anything.''

Wood's injury is the latest in a long line for the Cubs, who also are missing Mark Prior, reliever Mike Remlinger, shortstop Alex Gonzalez and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

Even with the injuries, though, the Cubs began the day a game out of first in the NL Central. With more than four months left in the season, the Cubs said there is no reason to rush Wood back.

"It's Kerry Wood,'' Hendry said. "I'm not going to let us put him in jeopardy in any way, shape or form.''

And Wood agrees, even if it is a little grudgingly.

"Even two years ago, I would have kept pitching. Maybe even last year,'' said Wood, who missed the 1999 season after reconstructive elbow surgery. "Things are different now. We're not trying to win anything in May.''

Michael Wuertz was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Wood's spot on the roster. He had a 10.38 ERA in 10 relief appearances covering 8 2-3 innings.

[xjjeep90]

Rob Dibble was saying on Baseball Tonight that this not only hurts the starting rotation but also the bullpen since they are having to eat up innings for less experienced starting pitchers. Hopefully they will tire out and be soft when the Reds and Cubs play each other again.