The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Just before the All-Star break, the Chicago Cubs are getting their ailing rotation back together.

Kerry Wood, who has been on the 15-day disabled list for almost two months with a strained right triceps muscle, is set to pitch Sunday against St. Louis in the Cubs' final game before the break.

Wood, 3-3 with a 2.82 ERA, threw a short bullpen session before Friday's game and reported no problems. He has been on the DL since May 12.

"He doesn't feel any soreness today, just the normal soreness in his leg and his butt and all of the good places," manager Dusty Baker said. "It looks like he's going to be fine."

BONDS DENIES REPORT: Barry Bonds disputed a report Friday that claimed he will participate in the Home Run Derby at All-Star weekend because Major League Baseball gave him financial compensation.

The Giants slugger blasted the story, which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, calling it "flat-out wrong and a flat-out lie, period."

BREWERS: Milwaukee optioned right-hander Wes Obermueller to Triple-A Indianapolis and called up infielder Matt Erickson. Obermueller was 3-5 with a 6.69 ERA for the Brewers.

METS: New York activated outfielder Karim Garcia from the disabled list and optioned right-hander Matt Ginter to Triple-A Norfolk. Garcia went on the 15-day DL June 24 with tendinitis in his left wrist. He was hitting .238 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.

INDIANS: Alex Escobar's once-promising career has hit another road block.

Escobar has a stress fracture in his right foot and will undergo season-ending surgery, another setback for the 26-year-old outfielder once considered one of baseball's top prospects.

Escobar played 46 games for Cleveland this season before being sent to Triple-A Buffalo. The Indians expect him to be ready for the start of spring training in February.

WHITE SOX: Chicago plans to put designated hitter Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list today because of inflammation in his left ankle. The White Sox learned Friday they will lose Thomas, one day after fellow slugger Magglio Ordonez came off the disabled list. Ordonez missed 36 games after tearing cartilage in his left knee.

ATHLETICS: Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez was activated by the Athletics and in the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his right hand June 1.