Cubs, Kerry Wood agree to $4.2 million deal

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 after a swift recovery from shoulder problems, Wood agreed Monday to a $4.2 million, one-year deal to return to the 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,” Wood said. “Chicago’s been great to me. There’s no better place to play, especially if you’re winning.”

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

The right-hander 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.

Wood has a 72-57 career record with 3.67 ERA in parts of nine seasons with the Cubs. He missed the 1999 season after elbow ligament replacement surgery.

•Indians reliever Juan Lara remained hospitalized in critical condition with a head injury sustained in an accident that killed two people on a motorcycle in the Dominican Republic.

The 26-year-old Lara, who pitched in one game for Cleveland last season, was returning from a winter league game Saturday night in San Pedro de Macoris when the sports utility vehicle he was driving was hit by a motorcycle, killing both its rider and passenger.

•A federal appeals court in St. Louis 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.

Miscellany

Hendrick loses aide

Jeff Meendering, who was interim crew chief for Jeff Gordon for six races this season, joined Petty Enterprises as crew chief for Bobby Labonte.

Meendering began his career at Hendrick Motorsports 13 years ago sweeping floors, and worked his way up to a pivotal role on Gordon’s crew. He was the interim crew chief during a six-race stretch this season when Steve Letarte was suspended.

His new job with Petty starts immediately.

•Former Montana Grizzlies quarterback Dave Dickenson, who has spent much of his five years with the B.C. Lions recovering from injuries, was released by the CFL club.

•Jahvid Best, California’s talented freshman running back, will likely miss the rest of the season with a hip injury.

•Herb McKenley, a Jamaican track legend who was one of the first two people from a Caribbean country to win an Olympic medal, died at age 85.

•Richard Paez resigned as Venezuela’s soccer coach, saying he does not want to be an obstacle in his country’s attempt to qualify for its first World Cup.