Cubs' Garza feeling no pain from pulled muscle

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Matt Garza still had a bulky wrap around his midsection Sunday, and the Chicago Cubs right-hander was uncertain when he would be allowed to throw again.

A week after feeling a twinge in his left side while throwing batting practice, Garza said that he had no pain and was feeling better. He described the pulled muscle as ``just a little spot that's annoying.''

``This is just a slower process because it's more important due to the fact that it's required to use in everything,'' Garza said. ``It's just more like something's still there, and you don't want anything to be there, because you don't want to re-aggravate it and get it worse.''

Garza said he would keep doing as much conditioning work that he could and would be ready to throw when he gets the go-ahead from team doctors. He hopes that will be in the next few days.

``I'm just antsy right now,'' he said. ``I think it's just a sign I was too far advanced, too much ahead of schedule.''

Garza was limited to 18 starts in 2012 because of an elbow injury. When he felt something in his side a week ago, he was throwing to hitters in his most extensive work since his final start July 21.

An MRI confirmed that it was only a pulled muscle, and the team said they expected him to rest and recover for about a week before throwing again.

``A little bit better today and it's still very slight,'' manager Dale Sveum said Sunday. ``So the good thing - it was what it was and now it just keeps getting better every day.''

The Cubs acquired Garza from Tampa Bay in an eight-player deal in January 2011. He is 15-18 with a 3.52 ERA in 49 starts for Chicago.

While Garza wants to get back as fast as he can, he knows he doesn't have to push things in February.

``The Cactus League, you don't go to the postseason for that. ... Right now is the best time to take care of it,'' Garza said.

``I'd go now if they let me,'' he said. ``They're really holding the reigns, saying dude it's not really that big of a deal, it's just fully get it together because you don't want anything to flare up in April, especially in the cold months. So let's get it completely back to normal.''