By C. Trent Rosecrans Kerry Wood will be with the Cubs in 2012 or he will retire, at least that's what the veteran pitcher told reporters on Monday.
Wood will miss the rest of the 2011 season with a tear in the meniscus in his left knee, an injury he said has bothered him most of the season. But Saturday Wood said he felt something pop while he was squatting in the bullpen.
"Glad it happened now," Wood said (Chicago Tribune).
Wood will have arthroscopic surgery on the knee after the season, but expects to be ready to pitch in 2012 -- if the Cubs will have him back.
"I'll be ready to roll," Wood said (CSNChicago.com). "It shouldn't be an issue at all."
After spending time with the Indians and the Yankees in the last two seasons, Wood returned to the Cubs on a one-year, $1.5 million deal this season. The 34-year-old right-hander served as the team's primary set-up man this season and went 3-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 55 games, earning one save. He struck out 57 and walked 21 in 51 innings.
After arm troubles sidelined his career, Wood reemerged as a reliever in 2007 and has recorded 63 career saves, including 34 in 2008. After being traded from the Indians to the Yankees last season, Wood served as a set-up man, a role he thrived in with his below-market value deal to return to the team that drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 1995 draft.
If Wood is willing to accept another bargain deal from the team, it would seem to be a no-brainer for the Cubs to bring him back. Of course, that's going to be up to the new general manager, whoever that may be.
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