GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Given that he's made 12 trips to the disabled list in 10 years, Indians closer Kerry Wood knows how the news that he was dealing with lower back soreness looked.

"It's not the impression you want to make coming into camp with a new team," he said. "But what's done is done, and I'll go back to work."

Wood went back to work Thursday morning, participating in a morning workout in preparation for a bullpen session Friday. That would lead one to believe the back issue is as minor as the Indians are making it out to be, but it will nonetheless be a situation worth monitoring as spring camp rolls along.

But the Indians were planning on easing Wood into Cactus League action anyway, so Wood's schedule, barring any setbacks, isn't terribly off-track. The goal was to have him make two appearances by March 10, and he still might do so.

"I missed one [batting practice] session," Wood said. "I've got to talk to [pitching coach] Carl Willis about what we're going to do with that BP -- if I need it or don't need it."

Wood, 31, said he's dealt with this back issue in previous springs with the Cubs.

"I know how to manage it," he said. "Usually the first couple weeks, [it's a matter of] getting acclimated to being on spikes and wearing them all day long. It's been dealt with. You just hate to come over and miss a few days right out the gate."

None of Wood's DL trips over the years have been back-related. He said he did have a bulging disc a few years ago, but he does not believe this issue is at all related to that one.

As for his schedule, Wood said he expects to get the same workload this spring that he got last year, which was his first as a closer.

"The silver lining is we have the extra week [of games]," Wood said. "We can do whatever we've got to do to get it ready. I have plenty of time to throw and get in the games. I should still get my 12-14 innings in."