The Sun Rose in the East Today

Kerry Wood, who was supposed to work on back-to-back days for the first time this spring, had to be scratched from Wednesday's appearance because of back spasms.
"Look, we do have one setback with Kerry today -- his back is really, really stiff and he's not going to be able to pitch today," manager Lou Pineilla said. "It has nothing to do with his shoulder, or elbow, it's just with his back. He went to see a doctor, and hopefully we'll get him out there (Thursday) or the next day." Piniella wants Wood in the closer's role, but it's unclear if he'd hand him the role without him having pitched on back-to-back days first.

The New Face of Tommy John?

From Rotoworld...

Cole Hamels will miss his scheduled start Wednesday because of a mild MCL strain in his left elbow.

Uh oh. Whether it wrecks their postseason chances or not, the Phillies need to be very cautious here. Team physician Michael Ciccotti said Hamels could miss one to three weeks, pending the results of an MRI. The Phillies will move up the rest of the rotation one day and go with J.D. Durbin on Wednesday. They could call up J.A. Happ to start Saturday, but a trade for Steve Trachsel or someone similar will have to be considered. Aug. 21 - 8:33 pm et

This, of course, is bad news for Smiff. But then again, it's partially his fault. If he hadn't just offered me Gallardo straight up for Hamels, thus dooming me to say no and watch my best starter then disappear for a year and a half, he would have been fine.