Cubs' Prior to start 2004 on the disabled list

[WebHamster]

Mesa, AZ (Sports Network) - Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Mark Prior will begin the regular season on the disabled list.

Prior was originally scheduled to pitch for the Cubs on April 8, but was shut down for several weeks with an inflamed right Achilles' tendon.

He suffered the injury during drills in late February. An MRI at the time revealed no structural damage.

"We don't feel Prior is going to be ready to be at a high pitch limit for the first road trip," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Tuesday. "So he'll be missing the first road trip."

Chicago begins the season with six straight on the road.

Prior, who went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 2003, was scheduled to start the Cubs' third game of the season in Cincinnati. The third-year hurler hopes to be ready for his club's first homestand.

In 49 major league starts, Prior owns a 24-12 record.