Wood would be available for Star duty
On second thought, the Cubs plan to have an AllStar participate in the big game in New York.
One day after suggesting that Travis Wood, their lone All-Star, wouldn’t be allowed to pitch because he’s starting Sunday night, the Cubs said they expect the left-hander to be available for up to one inning.
Apparently, few — including media — knew the “Sunday pitcher rule” had been added to the latest collective-bargaining agreement, allowing All-Star selections starting games the previous Sunday to pitch up to one inning in the game two days later.
“That is a side day, so I would be available, but we’ll see what the organization wants me to do,” said Wood, who earned the win with 6⅔ strong innings in the Cubs’ 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. “I would like to pitch, but the ultimate goal is the season for the Cubs.”
Said manager Dale Sveum: “I’ve got no problem [with him] pitching one inning or 20 pitches, just the same as you’d pitch your side [day].”
Wood (6-6, 2.69 ERA) became the first Cub with 17 quality starts before the All-Star break since Greg Maddux 25 years ago.
“I didn’t know that stat,” Wood said. “Now that you say that, it’s pretty exciting.”
Notes
Alfonso Soriano’s firstinning homer was the 386th of his career, breaking a tie with Dwight Evans for 58th on the all-time list. Next up is Johnny Bench at 390. Soriano added a solo shot in the seventh, giving him three homers in two days and seven in 10 games.
Catcher Welington Castillo, who missed the game Monday after getting dehydrated and ill, said he was better Tuesday but got an extra day off.
Class A outfielder Albert Almora, the No. 6 overall pick last year, used a day off on the Kane County schedule to watch the game at Wrigley Field with his parents.
Outfielder Brian Bogusevic, who has missed the last five games because of a hamstring injury, was available to pinch-hit and could return to the lineup Thursday, Sveum said.