Mark Prior News: Pro Sports Daily

Prior is ready to give it one more shot; 'I don't want to give up,' he says

Comment

February 9

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Mark Prior knows it would be "easy to cash it in." "Too easy," he said last week. "The reality is, I could have made my last pitch in the major leagues. But I need to know for me. And I don't think it's over. "I've always been a guy who likes to control my environment. I want to control how I go out. I don't want to give up. And the other reality is, I could pitch again. Wouldn't it be something to be back on the mound in a major league game?" It could happen, although it's been 20 months and two rounds of major shoulder surgery since Mark Prior last pitched in any game. Later this week, Prior will report with other pitchers and catchers to the Padres spring training camp in Peoria, ..."

Prior has shoulder tear, will have season-ending surgery again

June 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Mark Prior's season is over before it got started. Prior will have surgery this week to repair a tear in the anterior capsule of his right (pitching) shoulder. It is Prior's second season-ending shoulder surgery in two years, but after doctors briefed him, the 27-year-old vowed to pitch again, said his agent, John Boggs."

Same old story, Prior is hurt again

May 18

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"The restaurant booth I happened to be sitting in Friday night had a framed series of photos from 2003 on the wall. The shutter had caught Mark Prior in various stages of pitching. Windup. Push-off. Follow through. Do you remember that throwing motion? It was performance art. There was so much beauty and meaning in it: control, confidence, arrogance, anger, power, peace. Here was a man in his element. It was only later, after the injuries started piling up, that the baseball people said his form was wrong. Bad mechanics, they said. Funny, it sure did look perfect...If this sounds like a baseball eulogy, it's not meant to be, though it very well could end up being one. Prior is hurt ..."

Prior would welcome return of his '03 magic

February 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Mark Prior tapped his right forearm and smiled. “I can still feel the goose bumps,” he said yesterday. On an October night at Wrigley Field five years ago, Prior supercharged a sellout crowd, which returned the favor."

Happy Prior knows home rules

February 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"Step into the San Diego Padres' clubhouse, and you find catcher Michael Barrett chatting near the entrance. Around the corner sat Greg Maddux's locker. A few steps away, Glendon Rusch had dumped his equipment. When Mark Prior popped out of the trainer's room with an ice pack strapped to his shoulder, it was time to get our bearings straight."

Prior tries to decide what's best

December 21

Houston Chronicle

"Mark Prior's agent gives the Astros high marks in their pursuit of the righthander, but it's clear Houston will have to overcome some serious geography issues to beat out the San Diego Padres."

Astros sign RHP Cassel, make offer to Prior

December 18

Houston Chronicle

"In an effort to add depth to their starting rotation, the Astros made an offer to free-agent pitcher Mark Prior on Monday."

Yankees, Mets look into Prior

December 17

New York Daily News

"The possibility of the Yankees and Mets competing for a big-name pitcher always puts sizzle into a free-agent chase, but it remains to be seen how deep the two teams get into discussions over rehabbing righty Mark Prior, the ex-Cub."

Easy call on Prior's exit from Cubs

December 14

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs' decision to let Mark Prior leave the organization as a free agent wasn't as difficult for general manager Jim Hendry as one might have imagined."

Decision on Prior all business

December 14

Chicago Sun-Times

"Cutting ties with former pitching phenom Mark Prior might not have been easy for the Cubs, but the business decision was simple, general manager Jim Hendry said Thursday."

Hendry: Prior not accepting reduced terms 'Unfortunate'

December 14

Daily Herald

"For the Cubs, it was all about trying to get an option year from Mark Prior. General manager Jim Hendry said Thursday the decision not to tender Prior a contract late Wednesday was based on not being able to work out a reduced contract for 2008, plus a club option for 2009."

Astros turn their focus to Prior

December 14

Houston Chronicle

"Astros general manager Ed Wade said Thursday the club has contacted the agent for righthander Mark Prior, who became a free agent when the Chicago Cubs chose to non-tender his contract Wednesday night."

Prior still a Cub as winter meetings end

December 7

Daily Herald

"Apparently, the reports of great interest in Cubs pitcher Mark Prior have been greatly exaggerated."

Target for Prior is 2-year contract

November 27

Chicago Tribune

"Now that Kerry Wood is in the fold for 2008, can Mark Prior be far behind? Prior is arbitration-eligible for '08 and heads into his free-agent season rehabbing from shoulder surgery in April. The Cubs hope he's back by late April or mid-May but have learned the hard way not to put any expectations on Prior's health."

Prior done with Cubs?

April 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Mark Prior's season-ending shoulder surgery probably means the end of his Cubs career. Even if Prior returns to the mound next season, as the team expects, his contract status makes it unlikely he would do so for the Cubs -- the team that selected him No. 2 overall in the 2001 draft."

Prior Out For Rest Of Season

April 26

Daily Southtown

"Mark Prior will miss the rest of this season, but the Cubs are hoping he will be able to bounce back in 2008. Yet, with all of the problems found in his shoulder this week, there are no guarantees."