Wade Miller hits the DL:

The Chicago Cubs on Monday placed Miller on the 15-day disabled list with back spasms.

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In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled righthander Rocky Cherry from Class AAA Iowa.

Mark Prior will go under the knife tomorrow:

Prior will have an exploratory arthroscopic procedure in Birmingham, Ala., Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Monday. Dr. James Andrews has been given permission for a more extensive operation if he determines it is necessary.

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The Cubs will skip Miller's turn in the rotation this week, and Angel Guzman will take it over on May 1.

The Cubs should have given Guzman the spot out of spring training. He certainly wouldn't have done worse than Miller (10.54 ERA).

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As for Prior, I only have a handful of words: I would not be surprised if he never again makes a major league start.

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It is true that the Cubs have scored more runs than they've allowed (83 vs. 72). It's also true that the Cubs are sitting at 7-11, last in the Central. But what worries me about the run differential, and makes me think the Cubs really are playing like a 7-11 team, is the mix of blowout wins and 1-2 run losses. Seven of the team's losses have been by one or two runs, while the team has won by scores of 9-3, 7-0 and 12-4. If anything, that tells me the Cubs have played exactly as their record indicates, not above it. Until the Cubs can win the close games, doing the proverbial "little things" right (like getting bunts down, staying on the bag, running the bases wisely, etc.), they won't get over .500.