Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Monday that Kerry Wood (shoulder) should throw off a mound soon. "He's making a lot of improvement and says he feels great," said Sveum. Wood was placed on the disabled list Friday with right shoulder fatigue, but threw in the outfield Monday. It's not clear if or when he'll be sent out on a minor league rehab assignment, but he won't be an option to return until the first week of May.

Cubs placed RHP Kerry Wood on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 14, with right shoulder fatigue. Wood reported improvement with the shoulder following a cortisone shot on Wednesday, but he either eventually started feeling worse or the Cubs decided not to take any chances. It's not clear at this point how long he might be out, but a longer than minimum stay on the DL would seem to be possible. Scott Maine replaces him in the bullpen.

Kerry Wood flew back to Chicago on Tuesday to get a cortisone injection in his right shoulder. The Cubs are hoping that he'll be ready to return to the club (pain-free) on Friday. Wood has surrendered three hits and three earned runs in 2 1/3 innings this year.

Kerry Wood was fairly useless in Thursday's Opening Day match-up, walking three batters -- including one with the bases loaded -- while recording only one out against the Nationals. He also had a wild pitch. The only good news is that his ERA remains spotless, as the earned run was charged to starter Ryan Dempster. But Wood gained no ground on closer Carlos Marmol with this forgettable performance.

Kerry Wood (back) might return to action by Thursday. Wood hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game in over a week due to a back strain. He is scheduled to pitch on the side Monday. "We were just easing him back toward the season," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "Nothing spectacular form the back is going on. This is backing him off and making him ready for the season. There is just no reason for any extra workload. He was feeling good and everything like that." Wood posted a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio over 51 innings last season.

Cubs signed RHP Kerry Wood to a one-year, $3 million contract with a $3 club option for 2013. Wood signed a team-friendly one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cubs last offseason, but spoke with multiple teams this winter in hopes of getting a contract at the market-value rate. The Cubs ultimately compromised and awarded him with a nice raise after he posted a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio over 51 innings last season. He'll function in a set-up role again in 2012.

According to David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com, the Cubs have re-signed reliever Kerry Wood. The deal was announced to an "insane ovation" at Cubs Convention on Friday afternoon. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the contract is worth $3 million with a club option for 2013. Wood, 34, made $1.5 million last season while posting a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio over 51 innings.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs and Kerry Wood have reengaged in talks and are "making progress" toward a one-year deal with an option for 2013. A source told CSNChicago.com's David Kaplan on Tuesday morning that Wood was ready to move on because the Cubs wouldn't give him a fair market rate, but Cubs GM Jed Hoyer later said that they have offered him a "substantial raise." Wood, 34, made $1.5 million last season while posting a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio over 51 innings. The Phillies have also reportedly expressed interest.

According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds are interested in Kerry Wood. "It depends on the cost," Reds GM Walt Jocketty told Fay. Wood is also drawing interest from several other teams, including the Cubs and Phillies. He posted a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio in 51 innings last year.

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said Tuesday that the Cubs have offered free agent Kerry Wood a "substantial raise." Wood made a $1.5 million salary last season while posting a solid 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio in 51 innings of relief. A source told CSNChicago.com's David Kaplan on Tuesday morning that Wood is ready to move on from the Cubs because they aren't offering him a fair market rate. But perhaps things have changed.