Why doesn't this surprise me?
Mark Prior is feeling discomfort in his shoulder and missed his most recent pitching session so he can be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum:
Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior will see a specialist in Los Angeles on Wednesday after cutting short a throwing session due to soreness in his right shoulder.
Prior was scheduled to pitch off the mound Tuesday, but he never got there. The shoulder flared up during long tossing.
"It wasn't getting loose so we weren't going to try it," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said.
The right-hander will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Peoria Northsider Report projected Cubs opening day rotation:
#1 Zambrano
#2 Maddux
#3 Rusch
#4 Williams
#5 Hill
By way of observation: at this point in his career, Maddux is barely a serviceable #5, but injuries will force him to fill the #2 spot.
That's serious trouble folks. You'd better be praying the offense puts up some serious runs with that rotation (at least Lee looks to be picking up where he left off - however - he just paid a visit to Slocum too after bruising his shoulder in the WBC:
Meanwhile, first baseman Derrek Lee visited Yocum on Tuesday after he bruised his left shoulder diving to catch a foul ball during the United States' victory over Japan on Sunday at the World Baseball Classic.
I'd say the Cubs pretty much have locked up a 3rd place divisional finish.
Good thing the organization was so aggressive in the offseason eh?