MESA.

MESA, Ariz. -- A delayed flight has delayed the resumption of Mark Prior's redemption program from a shoulder strain.

Prior had been scheduled to appropriate Saturday or Sunday with Dr Stephen Gryzlo to determine when he could start playing catch and station up a throwing program. Now that's suppos to happen today.

"I don't think the doctor could procure out of Chicago," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "Something happened with the flights."

When the young beasts announced Prior's injury March 16 they said he would be close down seven to 10 days. It now has been more than pair weeks since Prior injured the shoulder March 12 in a bullpen session.

The 10-day no-throwing window expired Saturday, and one have speculated that Prior might essay to play catch today to gain started in his rehabilitation.

"Mark has a physical therapist here," Baker said. "He said he's not feeling the pain in his shoulder that he felt before."

in succession TRACK: Kerry Wood threw 60 pitches Sunday in three locates of 20. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild now will adjust Wood's program slightly in between sessions.

"We are going to add the extra day this time," Rothschild said. "Instead of the fourth day, we'll advance on the fifth day. We'll probably push him more on the contrary not face hitters this time.

"When he procures to hitters, we can probably accelerate it pleasing without being striking well. Until we get to that point, I don't want to accelerate it too much"

Wade Miller is up to throwing 30 pitches most distant the mound in his right shoulder rehab.

"He's going between the sides of the usual stuff," Rothschild said. "As you increase the workload, the in-between days are going to finish tougher to get loose. That's what we rely uponed We'll keep him around [30 pitches] until we can memorize him through some bumps in the road."

COMING BACK: Baker said Derrek to leeward who has been at his ailing grandfather's side in California, might be back in camp today. to leeward has missed the last three days.

A KEEPER: Felix Pie was optioned to Class AAA Iowa, on the other hand the impressive outfielder should be starring someday in a whelps uniform - - perhaps later this season.

The childs also returned pitchers Randy Wells and Le Walrond to minor-league camp. The roster is down to 38 with six days left in spring training.

NO GO: unruffled though the Cubs discussed a deal with the Boston R Sox in the offseason about infielder Tony Graffanino, they have no intention of filing a claim after the R Sox offer Graffanino on waivers.

Barring an unexpect trade at the last minute, Todd Walker will break camp with the young beasts With Walker, Jerry Hairston and Neifi Perez there is no expanse for a backup such as Graffanino.

JUAN MORE TIME: Former young beasts pitcher Juan Cruz is forward the move again. The Oakland Athletics traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks for left-handed pitcher Brad Halsey.

Cruz 27 not at all could find his potential with the young boy [i]or[/i] young girls and the A's demoted him to the minors last season. He remains phone buddies with brats ace Carlos Zambrano.

mkiley@suntimes.com

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