Prior

670 the Score reported this afternoon that Mark Prior (armectomy, will to live) has been waived by the San Diego Padres. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that individuals throw towels across the room until the pain in their arm exceeds the pain in their heart (or ass).

Timetable: How about "this century"?

Mark Prior indicated that he isn't working with any timetables as he attempts to make his way back from June shoulder surgery.
He did say he feels further along now than he did at this point last year. Prior thought he was close to making it back to the majors in June, when he had a major setback with his shoulder. "I'm 28 and no one knows what the future holds," Prior said. "If I can get back to 80 percent or 90 percent of what I used to be, then that's still pretty good. I look back to those three, four years in the big leagues and I pitched pretty well and did the things I had to do to help us win games. I don't know if those memories haunt me, but they motivate me."
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So will Smiff

Agent John Boggs said Tuesday that Mark Prior (shoulder, the will to pitch) will be ready for spring training. Prior has started a throwing program following shoulder surgery and will be a free agent. "He said he feels good, that his shoulder has never felt better," Boggs said. It's possible that Prior could get an incentive-laden one-year deal with a team option for 2010, but he may only garner a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training at this point.
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Trib tackles the tough questions

Is it OK to wear jerseys of players who are no longer on the team?
Yes (956 responses) 70.2%
No (405 responses) 29.8%
1361 total responses (Results not scientific, but gargantuanly inane)

Which is the more shocking news story?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After watching his underachieving offense go 2-for-14 in a 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay, manager Ozzie Guillen promised some changes to his White Sox roster.

"Just be ready because I expect movement Tuesday," Guillen said. "I expect Kenny to do something Tuesday, and if we don’t do anything Tuesday, there are going to be a lot of lineup changes. That’s all I’m going to say about the offense.

"It can be me. It can be (hitting coach) Greg Walker. It can be the players. It could be anybody. I’m sick and tired to watch this thing for a year and a half. I’m not protecting anybody anymore. (Bleep) it.

"If they can’t get it done, Kenny should find someone to get it done. That’s it."

OR

SAN FRANCISCO - San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Prior will undergo season-ending surgery on his injured right shoulder, the latest medical setback to a once-promising career.

Padres manager Bud Black announced the decision to operate before Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Prior, one of the top young pitchers in the game for the Chicago Cubs just a few years ago, has not pitched in the majors since Aug. 10, 2006.

He had been trying to make a comeback with his hometown Padres this season, but his rehab process was shut down at extended spring training about two weeks ago when he had more soreness in the shoulder. Prior, 27, had surgery on the same shoulder in April 2007 while with the Cubs.

"I can't imagine how frustrated he is," Black said. "It looked like everything was on course. Then to have this happen I'm sure is extremely frustrating. I'm upset for him just because there was such confidence from him about how he felt."

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Mark Prior experienced discomfort in his surgically repaired right shoulder during a throwing session on Saturday and will be examined by team doctors. There aren't even any jokes left to make. The Padres knew they couldn't count on Prior when they took a chance on him. They'll hold out hope he'll contribute later on, but it's hardly likely to happen.