Indians closer Kerry Wood could miss 2 months with strained back muscle

Indians’ Wood out with muscle strain

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Kerry Wood’s second season with Cleveland is already in setback mode.

The Indians’ closer, who has a long history of medical issues, could miss two months with a strained muscle in his upper back, an injury that was not initially believed to be serious.

Trainer Lonnie Soloff said Saturday that an MRI exam revealed a “moderate” strain. He said Wood will be out a minimum of six weeks.

While Wood is sidelined, right-hander Chris Perez will take over as Cleveland’s closer.

“I think Chris can handle the job,” Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. “It’s on an interim basis. The situation with Kerry is not one we think is going to be long term. It’s disappointing, but you don’t usually go through a spring without some challenging news.

“This is the first challenging news we’ve had. We’ll face it and get through it,” he said.

Wood felt soreness after throwing one inning in an exhibition game on March 10. He was scratched from his next scheduled appearance three days later, and the Indians continued to insist that there was nothing to worry about with the 32-year-old righty.

But when the soreness lingered, the team decided to have Wood undergo further tests. He has been placed on the DL 12 times in his career. He’s about to make it 13.

Soloff said Wood has had soreness in the muscle during spring training for the past four or five years.

“If there is one positive, it’s not his elbow or shoulder, where he has experienced surgical issues in the past,” Soloff said.

Perez was not aware of Wood’s injury.

“It stinks for our team because we were hoping he would bounce back big this year,” Perez said. “At the same time, other people have to step up and I guess that starts with me. I’ll try to not miss a beat and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

Perez had one save last season with Cleveland, which acquired him in a June trade from St. Louis.

Wood went 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA and made 20 saves in 26 chances during his first season with the Indians, who signed him to a two-year $20.5 million before last season.