Blister finally forces Wood to DL

The blister finally won out.

Cubs closer Kerry Wood, sidelined since July 11 by a stubborn blister on his right index finger, was placed on the 15-day disabled list after he visited a third doctor Thursday.

The move is retroactive to July 14, meaning Wood is eligible to come of the disabled list on Tuesday when the Cubs play Game 2 of a four-game series in Milwaukee.

"We sort of felt for the past few day that it would end this way," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "We were hoping it wouldn't, but he hasn't thrown in 12 days or so now. The blister is not entirely healed, so this was really the prudent thing to do."

The Cubs said Wood's blister has improved slightly in the past two days and there is no infection, however, his return is now complicated by nearly two weeks of midsummer dormancy.

"He is making progress," said general manager Jim Hendry. "He is getting better, but I think with this amount of time off he's going to need a little work, whether it's a couple of (bullpen sessions), one good one, a pen and a (simulated) game. We'll see how it goes.

"But I think it would probably not be in the best interest of anyone if we got him ready, say, by Saturday night or Sunday and throw him right out there in a game with this long a time off."

Asked if former Notre Dame receiver Jeff Samardzija would be called up from Triple-AAA Iowa, where he has gone 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 16 walks in 37 innings, Hendry said, "It doesn't have to be Jeff, but he'll certainly be talked about and considered."

Wood took the move in stride.

"I've pretty much been on (the disabled list) for the last 10-12 days anyway," Wood said. "I need a few more days, so we're going to take a few more days and get some help up here to help us out."

For sale by owner: Chairman Crane Kenney confirmed the remaining number of bidders in the hunt to purchase the Cubs and Wrigley Field and outlined a time frame for completion.

"There's at least five (potential buyers) still in for the whole team and additional bidders who are just interested in the stadium," Kenney said.

"The remaining bidders are going to get access to some confidential information that we put together in a data room. After that they'll get management presentations from our team, (executive vice president business operations) Mark (McGuire) and our whole group. Then they'll submit final bids, I'm guessing right around the time the playoffs start.

"The bankers will walk through the final bids and likely have something to submit to MLB at the owners meeting in November."