Mark Prior returned from an elbow injury on Sunday, and Kerry Wood returns from a shoulder injury on Wednesday.

For Cubs manager Dusty Baker, it's as if the trading deadline came early. It's the first time these two will be in the rotation together since late April, and Baker feels like the Cubs made two deals to bring a pair of star pitchers to town.

"I don't know how sharp they'll be in the beginning, but I know you've got to start someplace," Baker said. "Hopefully they'll be sharp the next couple starts down the line and stretch it out. We've done what we could with who we could and treaded water until these guys got back and give us some quality."


I really like our chances for the 2nd half with these two back. It really is like getting 2 aces at the trade deadline, except a month earlier and they are used to the team and pitching in Wrigley.