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PEORIA, Ariz. – Mark Prior’s return answered his own questions about his arm, but created some about his effectiveness. Kerry Wood’s comeback was far more reassuring to the Cubs.

Prior, who missed most of 2006 during a third consecutive season of injuries, started for the first time since August. He allowed three earned runs and got just four outs before Chicago manager Lou Piniella pulled his expected ace from the Cubs’ 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

“I just wasn’t finishing my pitches,” Prior said, after throwing 41 pitches – 16 chest-high or higher.

“The most important thing for me is this is the first time in almost 21/2 years I wasn’t more worried about my arm than facing batters.”

But Wood was dominant. Throwing 95 mph fastballs and sliders, the 2003 All-Star retired the Mariners in order in the fifth. He struck out Jose Guillen and threw 12 pitches, eight of them strikes.

The Cubs’ former ace is trying to come back as a reliever following shoulder surgery on Aug. 31, 2005, that limited him to just four games last season.