Dusty Says

The Cubs management have decided to pull Kerry Wood from the roster for the rest of the year. They hope to get him back pitching in 2006. He’s expected to have surgery this week; this is what the team dr. had to say about the subject:

A cleanup procedure may be all that is necessary. That’s what the Cubs expect.

O’Neal said if nothing significant is discovered during the procedure, Wood will be ready for spring training after an offseason of rehab.

Through August 27th, the Cubs have had the following offensive/defensive (batting) splits:

Homeruns received: 156
Homeruns hit: 157

Hits: 1220
Hits allowed: 1083

Walks drawn: 341
Walks given up: 469

More statistics next week.

Not a lot of notes this week; actually, it was a pretty calm week for the team in terms of movements, trades and such.

The Cubs are not a bad team.

Sure, they have their share of flaws, mistakes, lack of fundamental skills and player bonds, but they are well capable to deliver good and blowout performances like today’s, a win against the Marlins; the star of this game was definitely Lee, who, when we started to worry about his recent lack of hits decided to land two homeruns. His BAVG is now one decimal shy of .350; he’s still the leader in that offensive statistic.

Carlos Zambrano (11-5) pitched a great game through eight innings. He won his fourth decision in a row and lowered his ERA on August to 0.69. He’s also 4-0 on the month, and will likely be named August POM.

This weeks statistics are located here.

Derrek Lee watches the first of his two homers on Sunday. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

So, finally, the merry-go-round ended. At least for now.

First, it was Jason Dubois for Jody Gerut. Excellent trade; the Cubs get a young outfielder who’s patient and can run.

Then, it was Jody Gerut for Matt Lawton; “even better trade!” we all agreed; a potential leadoff hitter, who walks and has a lot of speed and talent. The only risk? He’s a free agent after this season.

And now, we traded Matt Lawton for a player who’s so unknown, that I’m not even going to search for his details…

…I lied. He’s Justin Berg, who was drafted on the 2003 FYD (First Year Draft) by the New York Yankees; he is a right handed pitcher and an Antigo, WI native. This year he pitched at Class-A Staten Island and is expected to join Class A Daytona before the end of the season. In 14 games he’s pitched 55.2 innings, mostly as starter; he has a 18/48 BB/SO and a 3.53 ERA.

In tonight’s St. Louis Cardinals - Washington Nationals’ game, P Jeff Suppan walked along a groundball that was running just barely in foul terrain, and failed to pick it up to complete the foul ball call; the hitter in turn, Jose Guillen, never stopped running and suddenly, as Guillen passed first base, the ball came back into fair ground; 1B Albert Pujols couldn’t complete the play, and the runner was called safe. Suppan couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The result? Nationals win 4-1. It’s amazing how lack of fundamental skills gave space to a Nationals offensive that scored three runs in the same inning.

Reports Cubsnet:

The Cubs have put Aramis Ramirez on the DL with a strained quadricep. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway because team management doesn’t yet seem to get it), this development should take whatever wind was still in the Cubs playoff sails. I’d just as soon let Ramirez take the rest of the year off, since he’s seemed to have nagging injuries bothering him all year (groin, back, and so forth). There’s no reason I can think of to run him back out there for the last couple meaningless weeks of the year. This concept also applies to Kerry Wood, by the way.

Visit them for more information.