Chuck Gitles sends me this story on Kerry Wood missing another start, this time with a bad back. This passage:

Wood was scheduled to make his first appearance since March 9, when he experienced tightness in his shoulder and removed himself from a game.

"He didn't sleep well last night," manager Dusty Baker said. "His back was real tight, so we decided not to take chance in throwing him. It's not his arm. It's his back, which he has trouble with every once in a while."

Baker said Wood wanted to pitch, but the Cubs staff decided to let Wood get treatment from the trainers and a chiropractor instead. Wood may throw a simulated game on Friday at HoHoKam Park if his back responds to treatment.

Reminds me of an old Letterman show that had George Steinbrenner as a guest. The show started with Letterman and Steinbrenner sitting in makeup chairs, and Dave is screaming at his staff, threatening to fire everyone when the phone rings. It's Rickey Henderson for George. George takes the phone and the one-sided conversation goes something like this:

George: "Rickey, you had a bad dream? Don't worry take the night off."

Letterman: "Bad dream, ooooooh."

The continued troubles of Wood and Prior are sure to keep Cubs fans nervous as opening day approaches.

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