CHICAGO – Kerry Wood and the Chicago Cubs have finalized a one-year, $1.5 million contract that will send the right-handed reliever back to the team he started his major league career with in 1998.
A news conference was scheduled at Wrigley Field for Friday afternoon.
The 33-year-old Wood left the Cubs as a free agent in December 2008, signing with the Cleveland Indians before he was traded to the Yankees last July.
Wood's career has been plagued by injuries. He missed the 1999 season after elbow ligament replacement surgery and has made numerous trips to the disabled list. He is expected to be a late-inning reliever to set up closer Carlos Marmol.
In 12 seasons, Wood is 83-68 with a 3.65 ERA and 62 saves — 34 of those with the Cubs when he was their closer in 2008.
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