It’s only April, but Chicago Cubs’ starting pitcher Mark Prior is already right on cue with arm injuries. He only threw two innings in a minor-league start Thursday before having to leave the game with shoulder soreness. Up until this point, it seemed that he was making progress during the second half of the spring, but now it appears he might have to be shut down for 2007 altogether.
I feel for Prior, I really do. Anyone who has played baseball long enough – especially pitchers – know the stress the game puts on your arm. This guy is only 26 years old and after a brilliant start to his career, looks like he might be done for good. It’s also amazing how the Cubs continue to get these arms (Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill), but freak injuries strip them of goldmines in the rotation. If I were Zambrano or Hill, I’d be a little concerned with the hex on Cubs’ starting pitchers.
