Trouble brewing? Wood sidelined with back spasms

MESA, Ariz. -- There are probably a lot of kids growing up in Chicago who think the name of the Cubs' likely closer this year is "Kerry Woodhurt.''

Wood, scheduled to pitch in back-to-back games Wednesday and today, was scratched from the lineup Wednesday morning because of lower back spasms.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Wood likely won't pitch again until Saturday.

Wood did not make an appearance at HoHoKam Park on Wednesday, staying just down the street at the Cubs' spring-training complex to receive treatment from the Cubs' training staff.

"His back is stiff,'' Piniella told reporters before Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Oakland. "It's nothing serious. His back was stiff (Tuesday) and a little more stiff today.''

But given Wood's unfortunate history with injuries, the back spasms could call into question whether he'll be able to answer the bell on a daily basis, a requirement for closers.

But Piniella confessed no such concerns.

"We have three guys that can close that I'm very comfortable with," Piniella said. "It's not his arm or shoulder. His having a stiff back doesn't change my mind, but we do want to see him back to back, which we will still plan to do.''

Even if Wood was ready to go today, the Cubs would not want to use him since he would have to make the trip to Tucson on Friday to pitch twice in two days.

"We didn't want to have to put him on the bus with a stiff back,'' Piniella said. "So that means he probably won't go until Saturday at the earliest.''

While Wood was a scratch, one of the other three contenders, Carlos Marmol, had a hiccup of sorts. While his line against the A's wasn't terrible -- 1 run on 2 hits with a pair of walks in 1¿ innings -- he did blow a save.

Entering in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and the Cubs leading 2-1, Marmol walked the first batter he faced on four pitches to tie the game, then gave up a hit and a fielder's choice to let in 2 more runs.

He gave up an earned run in the ninth on a walk and a hit.

Marmol said he was eager to get another shot, given his shaky performance.

"I'm ready, especially after this bad game,'' he said.

"The problem we had today was walks,'' Piniella said. "We've gave up 3 or 4 walks late. You do that, you get beat.''

Bob Howry, who was set to pitch in Wednesday night's game against the Giants, did not view Wood's injury or Marmol's poor outing as an opportunity.

"Nah,'' Howry said. "If it's just back spasms, it's not a big deal. It's treatable. Three or four days is nothing in spring training. Kerry has thrown better than Carlos and me, so I don't see it as a chance. I just want to get my work in and be ready.''

Athletics 5, Cubs 2

Cubs' record: 8-13

At the plate: A day after Aramis Ramirez hit his first homer of the spring, Derrek Lee picked up his first spring homer, a solo drive over the right-field wall in the seventh inning. Ramirez had a pair of singles and a walk, while Ryan Theriot went 2-for-4 with a triple. Henry Blanco doubled in a 2-for-3 day.

On the mound: Starter Ryan Dempster was outstanding, giving up 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out seven of the 18 batters he faced in 51/3 innings.

Next: Franklin Morales (1-1) gets the start as the Cubs travel to Tucson to play the Rockies.

-- Slim Smith