Wood to rehab at Triple-A Iowa

NOTES

Chicago Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood is scheduled to make two or three rehabilitation starts at Triple-A Iowa, beginning Monday, as he recovers from a sore shoulder.

Wood, on the disabled list since May 3, threw a three-inning simulated game of 45 pitches Wednesday and then threw on the side Saturday.

Wood’s last two seasons have been beset by arm problems. He missed two months last season with a triceps injury and was 8-9 in 22 starts. This season he compiled a 1-1 record and 6.15 ERA in five starts before being sidelined.

“After an awkward slide into second base in the fifth inning, Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano left the game against Boston with a sprained left big toe.

Torre’s job safe for now

George Steinbrenner, though upset after the New York Yankees’ latest loss, seemed willing to let manager Joe Torre try to fix his struggling ballclub.

“(Steinbrenner) certainly is unhappy, as you would expect,” said Howard Rubenstein, spokesman for the Yankees owner. “He still has confidence in Torre. Let’s see whether he’s able to do it.”

Torre held a closed-door meeting Friday night after the team’s 10th loss in 12 games, an error-ridden 8-1 defeat at St. Louis.

Clearing the bases

Barry Bonds worked out before the game against Cleveland in San Francisco, doing more resistance and agility drills in the outfield. He has been sidelined all season while recovering from three operations on his right knee, but his intensity of working out has increased of late. … After nearly a week of negotiations in New York, the Mets completed a contract with former Cincinnati closer Danny Graves and added him to their bullpen. To make room for Graves, the Mets designated reliever Manny Aybar for assignment. … Four days after the draft, the St. Louis Cardinals signed No. 1 pick Colby Rasmus, an outfielder selected 28th overall, and four other top selections: pitchers Tyler Herron, Josh Wilson and Nick Webber, and catcher Bryan Anderson.

Associated Press