The Cubs activated Kerry Wood today.

During his rehab starts at three different minor-league stops, some pitches were clocked in the mid-90s.
The Cubs host the New York Mets on Friday and through the weekend.
“If we need him, we’ll use him,” Piniella said Friday. “He’s available and he’s had two days off. He’s the freshest pitcher we’ve got. So if we need him, we’ll use him. I’ve got all the confidence in the world that he’ll do his job.”
Before Friday’s game, Wood caught some pitches from Pearl Jam rock star Eddie Vedder in the bullpen. Vedder was to sing during the seventh-inning stretch.

Wood avoided surgery and appears to have healed himself. If he is indeed better, I hope doctors learn something from his rehabilitation.
Update: Neither starter has allowed a run through five innings. Each struck out five batters, but Zambrano walked seven so far. The Mets are being selective, but they aren’t getting good wood on pitches in the strike zone as they’ve only picked up one hit so far.
Update: Castro gets good wood on the ball as he leads off the sixth inning with a home run to put New York up 1-0.
Update: Something’s wrong with Zambrano. After the home run, Piniella and the trainer come out, talk to Carlos, then take him out of the game. No idea what’s wrong, I didn’t see him wince or anything.
Update: Derrek Lee homers to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. It’s just his 12th home run of the season. All other aspects of Lee’s offense returned this year after missing most of last season due to injury, but not his home run power.