Wood's back ailing, this time for Indians

The Cleveland Indians insist their new closer's sore back is nothing. But with Kerry Wood, it always seems to be something.

Wood, who had a history of arm injuries with the Cubs, hasn't thrown off a mound since last weekend because of an aching back and the Indians will rest him for a few more days before he pitches again.

Indians manager Eric Wedge revealed Wood's back soreness for the first time following Cleveland's 10-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

"He had a little bit of a sore back, which works out fine this time of camp," Wedge said. "We've been slow-playing him. It's happened to him in multiple springs, just a little back soreness. We'll back him up for a few days. It's absolutely nothing to be concerned about."

But because of Wood's track record, any ache or pain has to be monitored carefully.

Wood, who agreed to a two-year, $20.5 million contract in December, was on the disabled list 12 times in 11 seasons with the Cubs.

Another bid for Manny: The Los Angeles Dodgers made a fourth bid for Manny Ramirez, this time offering the enigmatic slugger a $25 million, one-year contract with a $20 million player option for 2010. The player option came at the request of Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who requested anonymity because talks are ongoing.

Around the horn: Miguel Tejada will not play for the Dominican Republic in next month's World Baseball Classic. ... Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. said he could miss up to a month of spring training because of a right shoulder impingement. ... Minnesota Twins right-hander Boof Bonser is expected to miss the entire season after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder detected partial tears in his labrum and rotator cuff. ... Colorado Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder at a Denver-area clinic. He is expected to miss the entire season.