Wood, Miller show stuff
MESA, Ariz. -- Brothers in recovering sore arms Kerry Wood and Wade Miller made fast exits from Fitch Park on Saturday after throwing batting practice.
While they didn't stick around to talk about how they felt, Cubs manager Lou Piniella was more than happy with what he saw from the two hurlers, each of whom had shoulder surgery in 2005 and limited playing time in 2006.
"If I was Kerry Wood, I would be awfully pleased with the way I pitched," Piniella said of Wood's 27-pitch effort. "He looked nice and comfortable out there. The ball had some life to it. It's very encouraging."
Piniella said Wood, who will be a reliever this year, is one throwing session behind the other pitchers and will throw 35 pitches his next time out, probably Monday.
While the fireballing Wood looked impressive, it was a little tougher to gauge the progress of Miller, who wasn't overpowering the hitters he faced.
"Wade is coming along," Piniella said. "Wade doesn't have the arm strength as Kerry and some of these other guys, but he has good rotation on his breaking ball and he's spotting his fastball really well. Velocity is not the name of the game with Wade."
Miller, Mark Prior, Sean Marshall and Neal Cotts are fighting for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation.
No 'Z' vs. A.J. -- The Cubs haven't named their starter for next Sunday's exhibition game against the White Sox at HoHoKam Park, but it won't be Carlos Zambrano, who is scheduled to pitch Friday.
That means "Big Z" will not face his old nemesis and new buddy.
Zambrano and controversial Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski have gotten into a few verbal battles over the past two years, but Zambrano said he now likes Pierzynski after the two filmed a McDonald's commercial just before spring training started.
Jeff Samardzija impressive -- Former Notre Dame two-sport standout Jeff Samardzija, who is likely to open the season with Class A Daytona, has made a good impression while pitching batting practice twice.
"He has one of the better arms in camp," Piniella said. "The ball comes out of his hand real easy. It has some good life to it. Our scouts felt that in two years time, if he's healthy and progresses the way we anticipate, he will have a chance to be in Wrigley. He has the physical attributes and is intelligent."
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