No word yet on potential Tribe-Kerry Wood deal

December 13, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

GM Mark Shapiro expects to have an update on the relief pitcher’s status today.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have Kerry Wood’s medical records.

They just aren’t saying whether they like them.

The club was internally discussing the results of Wood’s physical and had no word Friday on whether they’ve reached agreement with the free agent closer on a contract.

The Indians offered Wood a two-year deal worth about $20 million earlier this week in Las Vegas. It includes a third-year option.

General manager Mark Shapiro said the club was still working toward a deal. He is expected to have an update during a teleconference today.

“Our guys have done a great job moving down the road with the closing situation, and I don’t see anything being done right away,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said during this week’s winter meetings in Las Vegas. “But I think that there’s definitely been some progress made. We’ve been further down the road with other deals and they’ve fallen through.

“Until it’s done, it’s just not,” Wedge said. “And we’re working on multiple fronts with our ballclub with the closing situation. You know, we’re not leaving any stone unturned, and we’re not assuming anything or taking anything for granted. We’re just going to keep working.”

The 31-year-old Wood has a long history of arm and elbow problems and the Indians wanted to make sure their investment was the right one.

Wood had his physical on Thursday in Cleveland, but has returned to his home in Arizona.

Wood, who has had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, has been on the disabled list 12 times in 10 years. The former starter saved 34 games in 40 chances last season for the Chicago Cubs.

While not the flame thrower he once was, the right-hander’s fastball still clocks consistently over 90 mph.

The Indians targeted their bullpen as their primary offseason need and acquired setup man Joe Smith earlier this week in a three-team trade.

Pirates

PITTSBURGH — Utility infielder Ramon Vazquez has agreed to a $4 million, two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after batting a career-high .290 for the Texas Rangers last season.

Vazquez can play all four infield positions. He had six homers and 40 RBIs in 105 games last season and has a .257 career average in 595 games with the Mariners, Padres, Red Sox, Indians and Rangers.

The 32-year-old Vazquez played 70 games at third base, 26 at shortstop, 11 at second base and one at first base last season, his second with Texas.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Vazquez “provides us depth and protection at all positions in the infield. His ability, versatility and veteran presence is a quality addition to our organization.”

Vazquez, a free agent, was the only player with major league experience added by the Pirates during this week’s winter meetings in Las Vegas. The Pirates and Vazquez reached the deal this week, but the infielder needed to pass a physical before the team announced his signing.

The Pirates also added former Cubs minor league pitcher of the year Donnie Veal, a left-hander, in the Rule 5 draft and lost left-hander Kyle Bloom to Detroit.

Veal was 5-10 with a 4.52 ERA in 29 starts last season for Double-A Tennessee. Bloom was 5-8 with a 4.19 ERA for Double-A Altoona, but pitched well in the offseason Hawaiian league against mostly younger prospects