Cubs reliever
Kerry Wood
called a question about his glove- and cap-tossing episode Tuesday “irrelevant.”
Should manager
Dale Sveum
care about Wood’s display?
“Of course I care,” Sveum said Wednesday. “I don’t condone it or wish it to happen all the time. But we all know in this game that there are frustrations that happen, and sometimes we regret things we do. We’re not perfect human beings. But I missed the whole thing, so I didn’t see any of that.”
It wasn’t the first time a Cubs pitcher had thrown his glove into the stands at Wrigley Field.
Turk Wendell
did it during a July 1997 game, saying the glove was “bad luck.”
Changing times:
Sveum’s biggest dilemma is what to do about
Carlos Marmol
and Wood with the
Rafael Dolis
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–
James Russell
tandem thriving in late-inning relief.
Will the two veterans be able to accept lesser roles without disrupting the team chemistry that has been building since spring training?
Russell, in his third season with the Cubs, said the bullpen is a tight-knit unit.
“We’re a brotherhood down there, ” Russell said. “We’re a close group, and everyone wants to battle for each other and die for each other. It’s like a team inside of a team almost.”
Wood has allowed four runs in two innings since returning from shoulder fatigue. Sveum said he will continue to use Wood in late-inning situations.
“We’ve got to get him built up and comfortable on the mound and in game situations,” Sveum said. “Whether it’s every other day for a little while, or hopefully we can get it to two (consecutive) days and a day off.”
Russell, the setup man Wednesday, said he and Dolis don’t know at the start of the game which one will close. He’s fine with either role.
“I’m not scared of anybody,” Russell said. “They may get me. They may not. But I’m going to give them everything I’ve got and come out on top.”
Soriano watch:
Sveum revealed that
Alfonso Soriano’s
left knee has been “sore and stuff.” Soriano had the day off for the second time in three games.
“It was kind of gradually getting a little bit tender and sore,” Sveum said. “He actually said he felt pretty good (Tuesday).”
Infielder
Adrian Cardenas
played left field Wednesday and will play the outfield sporadically, Sveum said.