Indians closer Kerry Wood has been on the disabled list quite a few times in his career. He seems to be a bit snakebitten on that front, as he's a strong person with a good work ethic. He just can't seem to stay healthy for full seasons. Even in his rebirth as a closer in 2008, Wood had a DL stint midseason. And it appears 2010 isn't going to be much different for Wood.
He has reportedly suffered a strained right lat muscle and will miss six to eight weeks. So the best-case scenario for Wood is that he'll be back at the start of May -- but odds are he's looking at mid-to-late May, if not June.
Wood saved 20 games for the Indians last season after successfully closing 34 the previous season for the Cubs. The 4.25 ERA in 2009 for Wood was his worst mark since 2000, but he still struck out more than a batter per inning -- showing he's still got good stuff.
Wood, 32, is expected to be a hot name on the trading block leading up the July 31 non-waiver deadline, and this injury probably doesn't much change things. He'll have enough of a chance to get back and show he's healthy -- almost like a showcase for potential suitors.
In the meantime, the Indians will likely use Chris Perez as the closer. The 24-year-old righty is a closer-in-waiting and would be taking over if Wood is traded anyway.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The reality show about the White Sox, being filmed for MLB Network, should probably air on TNT.
As in, "We know drama."
The latest drama came Friday, when manager Ozzie Guillen's 24-year-old son Oney resigned from his job in the front office because he had been criticizing the organization on Twitter.
Which could have forced the elder Guillen to choose between his family and his team.
Except Guillen found a Solomonic answer, telling Oney to resign.
"My kid made a mistake," Guillen said Saturday. "They didn't fire him. That came from me, his father, to say, 'Listen, I think it's time to move on and walk away.'
"I think that's the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I [felt] very sick all game [Friday] because I never thought I'd be in that situation."
Anybody going to be in Altoona on April 8? If so, you'll probably have a chance to watch the Washington Nationals' best pitcher this spring open his regular season.
Stephen Strasburg was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg Saturday morning, mere hours after another dominant showing in his third and final Grapefruit League appearance for the Nationals. Harrisburg opens its season at Altoona, and it's a good bet Strasburg will be on the mound beginning a couple months of final seasoning before he moves to Washington for good.
That Strasburg will open the season in the minors is hardly a surprise; the Nationals had hinted at such an outcome throughout the spring. Still, just about everyone who watched the right-hander's work this spring was left with the impression that he would likely be successful in the majors right now.
The Minnesota Twins won their fifth AL Central title of the 21st century last season, culminating in a wonderful one-game playoff against the Detroit Tigers, and there's plenty of reason to believe they'll start the new decade the same way. One of the most consistent franchises in Major League Baseball, the Twins are just one of those teams that seem able to overcome anything.
The loss of a star player to free agency or injury? Who cares? This team just keeps chugging along and winning games.
Adversity is just a way of life in the Twin Cities, and though the season hasn't actually started yet, the Twins find themselves staring it right in the face again this year, though they don't look too worried about it.
LAKELAND, Fla. - 
Indians closer 
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The reality show about the 
Anybody going to be in Altoona on April 8? If so, you'll probably have a chance to watch the 
The Minnesota 
