News
Wood, DeRosa ready to revisit Wrigley
Cleveland (29-39) at Chicago (31-31), 2:20 p.m. ET
By Matt O'Donnell / MLB.com
06/18/09 2:35 AM ET
CLEVELAND -- Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa went back to Chicago earlier this month when the Indians played the White Sox. But going back to Wrigley Field for the first time will be a different story.
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The Indians begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Friday. And when DeRosa takes his first swing, and Wood throws his first pitch, their adrenaline will be running high.
"I'm sure it will be an exciting weekend," Wood said. "We're going back to a place where we've played before. We're going back where I spent all of my career, and DeRosa had a couple of good years as well."
Wood spent the first 14 seasons of his career in the Cubs' organization. He battled injuries for much of that time but also accomplished some impressive feats. In 1998, Wood won the National League Rookie of the Year Award after going 13-6 with 233 strikeouts. He also set the NL record and tied Roger Clemens' Major League record by striking out 20 batters in a game that season. He made the All-Star team twice -- the first in 2003 and the second in '08. Last season was his first as a closer. He saved 34 games in 40 chances. But he and the Cubs parted ways when Wood signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the Indians in December. He is 2-2 with a 4.63 ERA and eight saves in 10 chances this season. After all those years with the organization, Wood said it will be different being in the opposite dugout. "I'm sure it will be a little weird," Wood said. "I've never been over there before, so it will be new." DeRosa spent the previous two seasons with the Cubs and enjoyed career years with the club. He had career-high numbers in home runs (21), RBIs (87), slugging percentage (.481) and stolen bases (six) last season. But many in Chicago, including DeRosa, were shocked when the Cubs decided to trade him to the Indians for three Minor Leaguers on New Year's Eve. "At the time, I disagreed with the trade," DeRosa said. "I don't have any ill feelings. Obviously, they felt they needed to make the move." DeRosa said he is excited to return to the North Side of Chicago where he can talk with his former teammates and eat at some of his favorite restaurants. "It was the greatest time in my career," DeRosa said. "It was a lot of great memories. It will definitely be weird being on the opposing side." While Wood said he hasn't thought much about how the Cubs' fans will react to his return, DeRosa said he expects nothing but good reactions. "I would think it would be positive," DeRosa said. "I always showed up every day. I played hard and tried to play to the best of my ability. I felt like I was a team guy and went about things the right way." But no matter what memories the players have made or their reasons for leaving, both are just hoping to get some wins on their return trip. "I'm looking forward to getting in and getting out," Wood said. "We're just trying to go in there and win some games." Pitching matchupCLE: LHP Cliff Lee (4-6, 2.88 ERA)
The Indians will keep Lee on his fifth day, coming out of Thursday's off-day. So he'll look to get the weekend set at Wrigley off on the right foot. He's coming off a marvelous outing against the Cardinals on Sunday night. Lee became the first Tribe pitcher to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning since CC Sabathia did so in 2002. He went on to give up three hits for the shutout on just 93 pitches. Lee gave up one run over 7 2/3 innings for a win over the Cubs in 2006 in his only prior appearance against them. CHC: RHP Rich Harden (4-3, 4.53 ERA)
Harden took the loss in his last start against the Twins, but he did post his sixth quality start of the season. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. This was his first start since coming off the disabled list and he said he felt strong and wanted to go deeper in the game. He also struck out nine, including six of the last eight batters he faced. Harden has struck out nine or more in three starts this season. He's 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in five career games vs. the Indians. Tidbits
Before Wednesday's game, manager Eric Wedge had some less-than-glowing things to say about catcher Kelly Shoppach, who had struck out 48 times in his first 149 plate appearances this season. Wedge said Shoppach is making it difficult for the manager to justify placing him in the lineup regularly with his performance at the plate. "Kelly makes it tough when he gives away at-bats like that," Wedge said. "He knows that." ... The Indians announced the signing of five more First-Year Player Draft picks Wednesday, bringing the total number of players signed to nine, including eight from the first 16 rounds. Right-handers Austin Adams (fifth round, Faulkner University), Cory Burns (eighth round, Arizona), Preston Guilmet (ninth round, Arizona), Dale Dickerson (16th round, Nicholls State) and Tyler Sturdevant (27th round, New Mexico State) were all inked. ... Grady Sizemore (left elbow inflammation) and Asdrubal Cabrera (left shoulder sprain) will both make the trip to Chicago and participate in pregame drills as they rehab from their injuries. Tickets
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• Saturday: Indians (Tomo Ohka, 0-1, 4.24) at Cubs (Ted Lilly, 7-4, 2.94), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 1-4, 5.14) at Cubs (Randy Wells, 0-3, 2.55), 2:20 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
Matt O'Donnell is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
