According to this article at Cubs.com, Prior has been slowed by a sickness he had over the winter. However, according to this article by Will Carroll at Baseball Prospectus, that may not be the case. Carroll claims the same sources that told him Prior's achilles was hurt in the spring of 2004 are now telling him that Prior's shoulder is hurt this spring. From the Carroll article:

"Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks 'weak and sick.'"

Props to All Cubs and The Cubs Reporter for bringing Carroll's story to the Cubs blogosphere. I should also mention that the first appearance of this unfortunate news/rumor cropped up about a month ago over at 1060 West. What is interesting and downright scary/maddening/depressing/typical is that the story posted on 1060 West corroborates quite well with Carroll's story.

So, which is it? It is true that Prior was sick this winter and his shoulder is fine? Or am i going to be the one booting all over my keyboard when the Cubs' brass finally admits his shoulder is wrecked?