Oft-injured righthander Wood re-signs with Cubs for one season

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Last update: November 26, 2007 - 11:30 PM

Given his history of arm problems, even Kerry Wood was surprised at all the interest he drew from other teams in free agency.

While Wood was tempted to leave, he couldn't be lured from the team he has pitched for his entire career.

After making the switch to the bullpen last season following a swift recovery from shoulder problems, Wood agreed Monday to a $4.2 million, one-year deal to return to the Chicago Cubs, spurning what General Manager Jim Hendry said were numerous multiyear offers elsewhere.

He called his decision to stay with the Cubs an easy one. "Chicago's my home," said Wood, 30. "Chicago's been great to me."

The 1998 NL Rookie of the Year can make an additional $3.45 million in performance bonuses based largely on games finished from 20 to 55. He had a $1.75 million salary this year.

The righthander went 1-1 last season with a 3.33 ERA in 22 relief appearances. He didn't join the team until Aug. 5, when he made his first appearance since June 2006.

Asked about starting again, Wood said: "Physically, I feel like I can do it. But I know what it takes to go out and eat up 200-plus innings. ... With what I've been through, I don't know if it's wise of me to take that chance again right away."

BALCO hearing

Barry Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, was one of four men who asked a San Franicsco federal judge Monday for permission to keep sensitive court documents detailing drug use among elite athletes, including the slugger's grand jury testimony at the heart of his perjury case.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston on Sept. 11 ordered the four to return or destroy the documents they received after they were charged in 2004 with operating a steroids ring centered at the now-defunct Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

Federal prosecutors argue that since all four men -- including convicted steroids dealer Victor Conte, BALCO executive James Valente and former track coach Remi Korchemny -- ultimately pleaded guilty, they no longer need the documents. The papers include other athletes' grand jury testimony and search warrants used to raid BALCO and Anderson's house in 2003.

Attorneys for the men argue that many of the documents are beyond their control.

Etc.

• Cleveland reliever Juan Lara, 26, remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday with a head injury suffered in an accident that killed two people on a motorcycle in the Dominican Republic. Lara, who pitched in one game for the Indians in 2007, was returning from a winter league game Saturday in San Pedro de Macoris when the sports utility vehicle he was driving was hit by a motorcycle, killing its rider and passenger. He is breathing with help from a ventilator and has two fractured ribs, a hospital spokeswoman said.

• A federal appeals court denied a petition to rehear an attempt by the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball Advanced Media to reverse a ruling that allowed a fantasy baseball company to use players' names and statistics without a licensing fee.

• The Dodgers will honor their 50th anniversary in Los Angeles with an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at the Coliseum next spring. The Dodgers played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for four years after moving from Brooklyn in 1958.

• A full World Series share was worth $308,236 for the Boston Red Sox, down from the record $362,173 set by the St. Louis Cardinals last year. Boston's split of the postseason players' pool was $18.89 million.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - November 26, 2007

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More