Prior looking at 6/1 for his return, if not sooner

[tarlow00]

He's on the 60-day DL now.

sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080327&content_id=2461458&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd

Let's see how he feels when he starts to throw breaking pitches. His curve is deadly when it's on, an off-the-table number. I the Padres get 75-80% of Prior's best, I'll be happy... it will be better than Estes, Germano or anybody else we currently have to throw in there.

What kind of season do you think we'll get from Prior?

[Marlins]

He'll be very effective...if he ever gets healthy.

[tarlow00]

I didn't see much of the Cubs last year, at least before the postseason, and little or none the year before, so I didn't see Prior's last starts before going on the shelf. I imagine there was a velocity drop, but I don't know how much. Judging by his '06 numbers (38 K in 43.2 IP), he was still able to get it by guys, but we has getting hit (7.21 ERA, 46 H, 9 (!) HR)... must be they could sit on his fastball, as the breaking stuff wasn't working (28 BB). If his curve works at all this year, every one of his pitches will be better. I think he'll do it, as there's been no rush to get him back in there. He's had time to convalesce.