Cruz, ready to go...

[IE]

Astros,Nelson Cruz, who was forced to leave after two innings Monday because of neck spasms, rotated his head Thursday to show how much better he feels heading into his start today against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

"It's better and better and better," Cruz said. "I have the same therapy program I've been doing lately to get the area loose."

Cruz (1-4, 3.80 ERA) doesn't expect to have any problems with his neck this afternoon. If anything, he hopes to build on the two scoreless innings he pitched Monday against the Pirates before having to leave the game.

"I felt really well from the start Monday," he said. "Throwing in the bullpen that day, I knew I would pitch a good game. You know when everything is working.

"It was incredible to have to leave the game. I knew I could do better, but it wouldn't have been smart in that situation to keep pitching. I knew the spasms weren't going to let me pitch and be competitive."

 

[Terryray]

thanks IE, here's more...

thanks IE, here's more...

from official site:

Cruz rests: Other than a brief session of playing catch, Nelson Cruz spent Thursday morning resting his arm in anticipation of his start in Chicago on Friday.
"Playing catch was enough for him for a number of reasons," Williams said. "To find out if his neck was OK, and to exercise his arm."

Cruz maintains that he feels no after-effects from the neck spasms that forced him from his start on Monday against the Pirates.

"By tomorrow, it should be fine. I played catch yesterday and feel all right now."....

Astros-bytes: Following Thursday's game, the Astros will board the buses and head 90 miles down the road to Chicago, where they begin a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday. ....

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from Houston paper


Righthander Nelson Cruz (1-4, 3.80 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season as the Astros open a three-game series in Chicago. Cruz had to leave Monday night because of neck spasms after pitching two innings against the Pirates.

??Has struggled against: Fred McGriff (2-for-4, one home run, one double).

??Has success against: Sammy Sosa (1-for-7

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Wind blowin in seems to have dropped the total line today at Wrigley. That might help flyball pitcher like Prior? Should help his problem of giving up HRs. And he' ll want payback against Astros for his home loss to them. Ump was a factor in in that game--I'll be here today to check the ump thisafternoon.