CHICAGO, March 28 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs Wednesday sent hard-throwing right-hander Mark Prior to Triple-A Iowa of the International League.
The demotion came after the 26-year-old Prior gave up two hits and three unearned runs in three innings in his final spring training start Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies.
The loss made his record 0-2 this spring with an ERA of 6.97.
Prior was limited to only nine starts by shoulder problems last season, and was 1-6 while pitching just 43 2/3 innings.
He won 18 games in 2003, helping the Cubs reach the NLCS.
"We'll make a spot for him when he's ready, I promise you that," General Manager Jim Hendry told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The move means Wade Miller has been chosen to fill the team's No. 5 starter's role.
In his five-year career, Prior is 42-29 in 657 innings with 223 walks and 757 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.51.
