I was present when he pitched one of his best games in 2004 at the end of the season. He struck out 16 in 9 innings with one earned run, a HR by Austin Kearns. His stuff was filthy that day with a lot of backward Ks. The Cubs were in must win mode to get the wild card with the Braves coming to town to finish the season the next day. Alas, they lost and missed the playoffs.
All of his injuries early were blunt force injuries....first the collision with Giles at first base, then the line drive off of his elbow.
The Cubs kept rushing him back, which may have resulted in altered mechanics and more issues down the line.