Cubs demote Mark Prior to minors

Mark Prior was sent to the minors Wednesday where the Chicago Cubs hope he can regain the form that made him an 18-game winner and All-Star selection four years ago.

Prior, whose career has been slowed by an assortment of injuries, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa right after his final spring training start.

"It wasn't easy. But at the same time, this is good for his career," new Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. Prior had left the Cubs' clubhouse and wasn't available for comment after pitching just three innings in Chicago's 4-4 tie with the Colorado Rockies. "He handled it OK. He wasn't happy. He wasn't pleased. But you don't expect that," Piniella added.

Full Story

Wood will be sidelined for opener

Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood will not be ready by Opening Day and was to be examined Monday after feeling discomfort in his right shoulder, while Mark Prior's fate will likely be determined Wednesday.

"For the most part, he'd been doing what everybody else did," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Monday of Wood. "He had a couple setbacks, but truthfully, one wasn't throwing-related. We felt that by bringing him along slowly and not pushing him, that it was a reasonable expectation that he'd be ready by Opening Day."

Full Story

Cedeno will make Cubs roster

Ronny Cedeno struggled last year after being handed the starting shortstop job in the off-season and was considered a long shot to make the Chicago Cubs when camp opened in mid-February.

But after working with former shortstop Alan Trammell, Cedeno's fielding has improved this spring and he's considered a cinch to make the final roster next week.

TE Kelly stays with Bengals

Tight end Reggie Kelly signed a three-year contract Thursday with the Cincinnati Bengals, choosing to stay with one of the NFL's top offenses rather than leave as an unrestricted free agent. The 30-year-old Kelly played his first four seasons with Atlanta, his last four with Cincinnati. He caught 21 passes for 254 yards last season, his best totals with the Bengals.

Quarterback Carson Palmer called Kelly and lobbied for him to stay with the Bengals. "He told me I was a large ingredient to our success, and that he wanted me back for leadership as well as football," Kelly said.