TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira underwent treatment for a bruised right elbow on Tuesday and expects to play again Thursday.
Teixeira says the elbow is still sore, but feeling better. He added that returning to the lineup on Thursday is a "pretty safe" plan.
Teixeira was hit by a pitch in a game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday night.
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez relieved after World Series winCazorla could miss World Cup
Mike & Mike in the Morning
ESPN.com senior MLB writer Jayson Stark talks about how impressive the Braves look so far and how Cliff Lee's injury could change the season for the Mariners.
The Mariners' co-ace said Monday that a hearing by teleconference with the league that had been scheduled for the morning from Phoenix was postponed because a league official could not make the appointment.
Lee wants to get the issue resolved but says "it's on hold" with no known makeup date.
Lee was fined and suspended by the league for throwing over the head of Arizona's Chris Snyder on March 15.
Lee had collided with Snyder earlier in the game while backing up the plate on a scoring play.
The collision resulted in the strained abdomen that has Lee possibly headed to the disabled list to begin the season.
Seattle Mariners’ Cliff Lee suspended five games for throw at SnyderGuardiola - Title is priority
Reyes, who returned to camp last Wednesday, went 1 for 5 with a double against the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A team and played three innings in the field. He took batting practice for the first time Monday.
"I felt like I was in a real game today," Reyes said. "They didn't want me to run the bases too much, but I played in a game today and hopefully tomorrow I can do a little more."
He was not supposed to run past first, but he did in his first at-bat after hitting a ball over the center fielder's head. Reyes jogged easily into second.
Reyes flew out once and grounded out three times, but perhaps the biggest test was a grounder down the first-base line that he ran hard to beat out.
"I ran a little faster on that one, so that's a good test for me," Reyes said. "That means my leg is good and there's nothing to worry about. I am going to get ready as soon as I can and keep working hard."
Reyes missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. A thyroid issue has kept him from playing in any spring games so far and his status for Opening Day is uncertain.
Primera Division round-upNew York Mets’ Jose Reyes cleared to resume baseball activities
Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt has been given a one-year extension through 2011 that adds $5.5 million in new money.
In all, the team added $43.25 million in new commitments in the three deals.
Cain gets a $1 million signing bonus, $4.5 million this year, $7 million in 2011 and $15 million in 2012. He was due to make $4.5 million in 2010, the final season of a $9 million, four-year contract that included a $6.25 million team option for 2011.
Depending on how he does in Cy Young Award voting, Cain's salary could escalate to $7.5 million in 2011 and $15.5 million in 2012. He would earn a $50,000 bonus each year he pitches 225 innings and gets a limited no-trade provision giving him the right to block deals to eight teams.
Cain was a first-time All-Star last year and went 14-8 with a 2.89 ERA in 33 starts. His four complete games tied for first in the NL.
"It just shows appreciation for the things I've done, and the way they run the organization," Cain said. "It shows that we can do something to benefit both sides."
The 25-year-old showed he is nearly ready for the regular season on Sunday by pitching five innings of no-hit ball in a minor league game. He gave up two home runs in the sixth and pitched the seventh.
Wilson, 28, already was signed for $4,437,500 for this year under a settlement in January that avoided salary arbitration. The extension added salaries of $6.5 million in 2011 and $8.5 million in 2012.
He had 38 saves last season and 41 in 2008. He was a first-time All-Star in 2008.
The 30-year-old Affeldt receives a $500,000 raise to $4.5 million this season, gets $4.5 million in 2011 and has a $5 million club option for 2012 with a $500,000 buyout.
He tied with Minnesota's Matt Guerrier for the major league lead in holds with 33 last season.
In February, the Giants and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum finalized a $23 million, two-year deal.
"It's what we've been talking about all spring," Cain said of the Giants' rotation. "We love playing together. We all feed off each other.
Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies agree to two-year extensionPique set for contract extension
The 24-year-old rookie was told Sunday by Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman that he beat out incumbent Cristian Guzman and will be the opening day shortstop.
"Exciting. Excited. Doesn't really seem like it," Desmond acknowledged, "but, you know, I am. I'm excited."
It's the sort of thing Desmond was pegged for years ago -- all the way back at spring training with the Nationals in 2005, when he was a fresh-faced third-round draft pick out of a Sarasota high school, was all of 19, and had then-GM Jim Bowden comparing him to Derek Jeter.
Told the other day about that comment, Riggleman let out a hearty laugh.
"Oh, God," Riggleman said. "Well, he's an electric player. I didn't see him back in those days, but that's what he does now -- he makes electric plays."
Some struggles in the low minors, plus some injuries, delayed Desmond's arrival in the majors, though. He made his Nationals debut as a September callup, getting a chance to play a bit while Guzman was injured.
In addition to sometimes-spectacular fielding, Desmond has hit well this spring, and he had two singles and a walk, scored two runs, drove in two runs and stole a base in a 9-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, raising his RBI total to a team-leading 14.
That was a few hours after Riggleman announced the decision to go with Desmond over Guzman, a choice that represents picking youth over experience -- and trying to put in place another key piece in a rebuilding effort after two consecutive seasons with more than 100 losses.
"This is one of those moves that we can make to help the club this year and in the future," Riggleman said.
The 32-year-old Guzman is a two-time All-Star with a .271 career average in 10 seasons who is owed $8 million in 2010, the last year of his contract. There had been some question about whether his throwing shoulder was OK, but Riggleman said that didn't play a role in what he said was a difficult personnel decision.
"Guzman's had a very good spring. His arm feels good. He's playing well. He's hitting well. But Desmond's had an exceptional spring," Riggleman said, "and as we look to the future, we continue to focus on the year '10, but this is a guy who we think can play for us in '10 and in '15."
Guzman will get playing time at shortstop, second base and perhaps first base, too.
He took infield work before Sunday's game at second, where he will take some at-bats from free-agent signee Adam Kennedy. Guzman never has played second base; indeed, he never has fielded any position other than shortstop in a regular-season game, although he did see action at third during the 2008 All-Star Game.
Riggleman said he gave Guzman the news Sunday morning and told him: "Please don't be insulted by this. This is not a reflection on your play. It's just some special performances we've seen from the other guy. It's like you're an 'A' player, but this guy has been playing 'A-plus.' It's amazing what [Desmond's] been doing out there, and we can't ignore that."
Blase as he appeared Sunday morning, when Desmond was finished speaking to reporters, he grabbed his cell phone and left the clubhouse to deliver the good news to family members.
"I'm pretty excited," his mother, Pattie Paradise, said in a telephone interview later Sunday. "He told me: 'Deep breaths, Mom.' He's very composed."
Note Washington optioned OF Justin Maxwell to Triple-A Syracuse, leaving 36 players in big league camp. Maxwell hit .102 this spring -- 5 for 49, with 20 strikeouts. "He's just having some trouble right now with the bat, and we've just got to go a different direction for a while," Riggleman said. "I know he's going to play for us -- and may play for us soon. But we've just got some other options right now that we're going to have to go with, because he's just struggling a little bit."
Fabregas - I’m not leavingOutfielder Elijah Dukes abruptly released by Washington Nationals
Lee
Lee is sidelined with a strained abdomen that could cause him to miss the first weeks of the season, but the Mariners are using platelet-rich plasma injection therapy to treat their prized winter acquisition.
The treatment for the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner has been used for the last decade mainly on joint issues such as tennis elbow, hamstring strains or other injuries to limbs.
Not on abdomens. That makes Lee something of a medical experiment.
"I guess you'd have to say that," Mariners medical director Dr. Ed Khalfayan said Saturday in a telephone interview from his home in the Seattle area.
Khalfayan gave the 31-year-old left-hander an ultrasound and the platelet-rich plasma therapy on March 19 in Seattle, injecting Lee's own blood into the injured area to focus its healing powers on his ailing midsection.
Khalfayan doesn't like the negative connotation that comes with the term "experimental." But he agrees what the Mariners are doing with Lee remains largely unproven.
"It hasn't gotten to the point that it's accepted, standard practice," Khalfayan said of the therapy.
He said the only risk is a small one of infection, as with any injection, and is far less than the risk of injecting drugs such as cortisone.
Lee said he felt markedly better three days after the injection, but he had pain throwing for five minutes on flat ground on Tuesday and Thursday. He won't throw again until at least Wednesday, making it likely he will begin the season on the disabled list.
This is Lee's third strained abdominal muscle since 2003. The other two injuries also happened in spring training when he was with Cleveland and put Lee out for at least six weeks.
The Mariners are hoping this new idea reduces that recovery time.
"I'm fairly new to this platelet-injection stuff. It's pretty wild to me," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "It looks like there's been great results with it. We're trying to be optimistic."
And cutting-edge.
Dr. Allan Mishra, an orthopedic surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center, is one of the pioneering researchers of platelet-rich plasma injection therapy. He knows of only one study on PRP with abdominal strains, on a handful of soccer players in Europe. The results were inconclusive.
"Those types of injuries can take a fair amount of time," Mishra said in a phone interview. "And the PRP data for that is pretty nonexistent."
The therapy was introduced in the 1970s for surgical uses in hospitals. It didn't enter sports medicine until a decade ago. In the 30-minute procedure, a tube of a patient's blood is put in a centrifuge and spun, producing concentrated platelets. The platelets contain growth factors that accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. The platelets then are injected into the injury site.
The treatment gained notice in 2008 after Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward used it on his sprained right knee to help him play in the Steelers' Super Bowl win over Arizona.
PRP is gaining popularity among injured "weekend warriors" and their insurers because its $2,000 cost is a fraction of that for potential surgeries.
Mishra said because PRP has been used in sports medicine for only eight or nine years, doctors are still learning what injuries respond to the therapy.
"I never had a vision it would work for all types of problems," Mishra said. "But athletes teach us how to use these techniques.
"It will be interesting to see when [Lee] does return to pitching. ... I appreciate athletes pushing us."
Pitcher Takashi Saito avoided surgery on a partially torn ligament in his right elbow by using PRP therapy during the 2008 season. He came back to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win the NL West.
Khalfayan has been the team physician of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks since 1996. He used PRP injections last season on muscle strains, particularly hamstrings. He said he was successful in getting Seahawks back on the field sooner than they would have with more orthodox treatments such as cortisone shots.
He said the use of PRP on muscle strains is a carryover from its initial uses for arthritic joints and damaged tendons.
"The nature of [Lee's] injury makes you think of using it," Khalfayan said. "It's a strain, and PRP has been shown to help recovery of strains."
It doesn't always work. Former Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady tried PRP treatments last year but still ended up having elbow ligament-replacement surgery. Nady is now trying to come back with the Cubs.
The Mariners consider Lee's injury an isolated, acute one, despite his history of abdominal strains, so they believe he only needs one PRP injection. They said this injury is not related because it is in a different place -- low right, on his belt line -- and was the result of a specific incident. Lee collided with Arizona's Chris Snyder on March 15 while the pitcher was backing up the plate on a scoring play.
Khalfayan thinks with rest, Lee may be pitching for Seattle sooner rather than later.
"I'm optimistic," he said.
Seattle Mariners shut down left-hander Cliff Lee for 5 days; disabled list possibleNew comp law for EU clubs
He shouldn't get used to the day off.
Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu gave Bradley a Sunday off against the Chicago Cubs but said the winter acquisition will be his everyday cleanup hitter to begin the season.
Bradley began a tumultuous 2009 as the Cubs' cleanup hitter. He then batted .257 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 124 games before getting suspended by the team for a run-in with his hitting coach. He later said the team and city mistreated him.
Wakamatsu says Bradley will play left field most days for Seattle. He will also be an occasional designated hitter against left-handed starters to give 40-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. a break.
Milton Bradley reports to Seattle Mariners camp, wants to have funMessi thanks team-mates
The meeting was postponed by mutual consent, a person familiar with the delay said on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled, the person said.
Rodriguez said he never left Florida on Friday, and he was in the starting lineup for an exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Tampa.
"Whether I talked to them today or next week, it will be done and, hopefully, it will be done before Opening Day, and we can move on," Rodriguez said.
New York opens the defense of its World Series title at Boston on April 4.
Rodriguez said March 1 he had been contacted by investigators who wanted to interview him about his treatment from Dr. Anthony Galea following hip surgery last year. Galea faces four charges in Canada related to human growth hormone and Actovegin.
The physician told The Associated Press in an interview March 8 he prescribed anti-inflammatories for the slugger, not HGH.
Other major leaguers, including the New York Mets' Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, have been contacted by federal investigators about Galea. Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street has said investigators might want to talk to him about the case. Reyes and Beltran have said they did not receive HGH from Galea.
When asked why it has taken this long to meet with agents, Rodriguez said, "We're not delaying. I don't think anyone is to blame. I think we all have the same goal in mind, to cooperate with both parties and everything is going to be fine."
He also said he will meet soon with officials from Major League Baseball. The Yankees planned to wait until Rodriguez spoke with investigators before asking their own questions.
Galea, who has also treated golfer Tiger Woods, was charged by Canadian authorities in December with selling Actovegin, which is unapproved. He was also charged with conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto.
Authorities in Canada and the United States became interested in Galea after his assistant Mary Anne Catalano was stopped at the border and Actovegin and HGH were found in her car.
Galea told the AP during the March 8 interview that Catalano was carrying only a minuscule amount of HGH and that it was for his own use.
Report: Alex Rodriguez meeting feds Friday about Dr. Anthony GaleaRodriguez reveals Real dream
Lee
Manager Don Wakamatsu said Friday that the team's medical staff decided the 31-year-old left-hander will do no more throwing until at least Wednesday.
Asked if there was any way around Lee beginning the season on the 15-day disabled list, Wakamatsu said, "I think we're just going to wait and see how he responds Wednesday."
Seattle's prized winter acquisition from Philadelphia felt pain in his lower right abdomen for the second time in three days Thursday after throwing lightly on flat ground for a few minutes. He first injured it March 15 in a collision with Arizona's Chris Snyder while Lee was backing up the plate on a scoring play.
Even if he responds well to five days of rest, he is unlikely to be ready to pitch before the Mariners break camp Thursday. The Mariners have final exhibition games in Albuquerque on April 2 and 3, and at San Francisco on April 4. The season begins April 5 at Oakland.
Lee was supposed to start April 6 against the Athletics, in the rotation spot behind co-ace Felix Hernandez -- pending Lee's appeal of a five-game suspension for zipping a fastball over Snyder's head after the collision in that spring game. That appeal will be heard Monday in a conference call from Phoenix with the league.
Lee has not been on a mound since stopping a bullpen session because of the pain in his abdomen on March 18. He would need a couple of bullpen sessions before testing the muscle in a game. The Mariners will likely have started the season by then.
This is his third strained abdominal muscle since 2003. Wakamatsu noted the other two injuries, which also happened in spring training when he was with Cleveland, had Lee out at least six weeks.
The Mariners are treating Lee with platelet-rich plasma injection therapy. The first session came last week. In the relatively new procedure, a tube of a patient's blood is taken and put in a centrifuge and spun, producing concentrated platelets. Those contain growth factors that accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. The platelets are then injected into the injury site.
The treatment gained notice in 2008 after Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward used it on his sprained right knee to help him play in the Steelers' Super Bowl win over Arizona.
Pitcher Takashi Saito avoided surgery on a partially torn ligament in his throwing elbow by using platelet-rich plasma injection therapy during the 2008 season. He was able to come back in time to pitch late in the Los Angeles Dodgers' playoff race.
"I'm fairly new to this platelet-injection stuff. It's pretty wild to me," Wakamatsu said. "It looks like there's been great results with it. We're trying to be optimistic."
Mathieu’s season appears overSeattle Mariners’ Cliff Lee suspended five games for throw at Snyder
Mike & Mike in the Morning
ESPN the Magazine senior baseball writer Tim Kurkjian says Milton Bradley is already stirring up trouble in Seattle. Plus, Kurkjian thinks Jose Reyes should be good to go for the start of the season and he will be a crucial part of the Mets.
Reyes was all smiles, even in between sprints that clearly had him winded. He resumed workouts his first day back and said he couldn't be happier to be preparing for baseball again.
"I feel like a little kid again," said Reyes, whose bloodwork from a team physical raised enough concern with team doctors to pull him from stretching March 5.
After further tests, Reyes was prohibited from doing any physical activity until his thyroid levels returned to normal. He will be tested weekly and remains on a special diet that excludes eating seafood.
The 26-year-old shortstop was tested again Monday and found out Tuesday morning he could resume baseball activities. Reyes said he was relieved after the initial prognosis indicated he might miss as many as eight weeks.
"Every time I did a test, I expected to be better," Reyes said. "I went the next day and waited for good news. It was [always] bad news, 'You have to wait another week.' That was the tough thing for me because I wanted good news. They gave me the good news yesterday morning so I was happy about that."
New York Mets’ Jose Reyes cleared to resume baseball activitiesPrimera Division round-up
"It was what I set out in the spring to do," Hughes said after manager Joe Girardi announced the decision. "I grew up a starter in high school, minor leagues, even my first couple partial seasons in the big leagues. It was something that I really wanted and I feel like I'm ready for the challenge and ready for the season that lies ahead. "
Hughes
Girardi said Chamberlain will be given an opportunity to pitch out of the bullpen and is in the mix for the eighth-inning setup role for closer Mariano Rivera.
Chamberlain was at the Yankees' complex about an hour before Girardi revealed his decision and said, "You go with the flow. That's what I've done."
Hughes and Chamberlain spoke briefly at Steinbrenner Field.
"He just said 'congrats,' " Hughes said. "I think we all trust in the front office and the coaching staff to make the right decisions. We just get paid to go out and throw the ball. There's no bitterness or anything like that. We're all pulling for the same goal, to do what we did last year. The roles might be switched but we're pulling for each other."
Hughes made seven starts at the beginning of last season, then was moved to the bullpen after Chien-Ming Wang got hurt. Chamberlain was in the rotation during the regular season, then was shifted in the postseason to the relief role, which appeared to suit him better.
The other contenders were Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin, released earlier Thursday.
"I felt like everyone had been given an equal opportunity," Hughes said.
Gaudin, who turned 27 on Wednesday, will receive $725,410 in termination pay rather than the non-guaranteed $2.95 million salary he and the team agreed to in January to avoid salary arbitration.
New York acquired Gaudin from San Diego in August for cash, and he went 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts and five relief appearances for the Yankees last season. He was on the roster for all three rounds of the postseason but appeared in just one game, a one-inning relief appearance against the Los Angeles Angels in the AL Championship Series.
Also, Alex Rodriguez declined comment for the second straight day on his pending meeting with federal investigators regarding his possible connection to a Canadian physician.
The Yankees third baseman is scheduled to meet with officials Friday in Buffalo, N.Y.
Robinho rebuffed BarcaNew York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte throws simulated game, eyes first start
Now they are trying to pick themselves up. So are the Chicago Cubs.
ESPNChicago.com Cubs blog
If Soriano and Soto succeed, the Cubs just might pick themselves up after falling from back-to-back NL Central titles to 83-78 last year and nowhere near their lofty expectations.
With six All-Star appearances and seven selections to go with a $136 million contract, Soriano wants to show he still has something left after getting booed at Wrigley Field in a season that ended with arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-September. Soto wants to show that his 2008 Rookie of the Year season was no fluke.
Now, they're trying to make amends.
Soriano fell off dramatically after helping the Cubs reach the playoffs the previous two years, going from batting .280 with 29 homers and 75 RBIs to .241, 20 and 55 in a year that he said was like no other. It's something he doesn't want to experience again, either.
"Last year was not an easy year," he said. "What I've been through last year, that's never happened to me. But that happens to every player. ... has a bad year. That was my first time and I hope that doesn't happen again."
Soto is in a similar spot.
He said he "let all my teammates down" last year when he made more headlines for his weight and a positive marijuana test than for anything he did on the field.
Not exactly skinny when he batted .285 with 23 homers and started the All-Star Game as a rookie, he showed up out of shape and got off to a terrible start. He hit .109 in April and finished the season with a .218 average. As if his struggles on the field weren't enough, there was the embarrassing revelation in June that he tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic.
"I want to be there for my teammates," Soto said. "I want to prove to them that I'm here to play hard, to be for them. And I'm not going to quit."
So he changed his diet in the offseason, eliminating late snacks and big meals. He started working out with a personal trainer and slimmed down, going from 242 to 202 at one point before settling around 212.
"I went with a bad taste last year," Soto said. "I want to come back and do some unfinished business."
He said he's more agile and feels energized after a season that was a downer for him and just about everyone else in the locker room. From the departed Milton Bradley to struggling ace Carlos Zambrano and injuries to key players such as Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs' problems were wide-ranging last year.
For Soriano, it all centered on a knee problem that threw off his mechanics. Now that he's feeling better, he insisted he can at least get back to the level he was at two or three years ago.
Whether that's enough to satisfy fans that scrutinize his mistakes, his slumps and his shortcomings as a leadoff hitter is another issue. At least they won't be grumbling about that anymore, since Soriano's now batting sixth.
If fans grumbled last season, imagine how they'll be if he struggles again. Soriano still has five years left on the eight-year deal he signed before the 2007 season.
"I struggled last year because of my knee," he said. "It's not like I lost my hands or I lost my style of hitting. I think I have a very good hitting coach [Rudy Jaramillo]. He likes to work. We're working on my legs. That's the whole key. If my knee is good, I don't have any problem hitting."
Running is a different issue, although the Cubs aren't looking for the former 40-40 player to steal bases. They want him to hit for power and drive in runs.
So while Soriano said he still needs to test his leg sprinting, the Cubs aren't too concerned.
"Let's face it, he had some significant injuries," general manager Jim Hendry said, referring to quadriceps, hand and calf issues over the past three years in addition to the knee problem. "I'm not worried about the left fielder stealing 40 or 50 bases."
They just want him to stay healthy -- and contribute.
"If we can get this guy to hit and hit for power and drive in runs, we'll be very, very pleased and he's shown every indication of that this spring," manager Lou Piniella said. "I feel good about Alfonso. I feel good about everybody here."
Soldado suffers injury setbackChicago Cubs’ Geovany Soto in shape after sophomore slump
The meeting is expected to take place in Buffalo, the paper said Monday night, citing two people briefed on the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The people said Rodriguez's lawyers met last week with federal prosecutors from Buffalo, and the prosecutors told them they view Rodriguez as a witness.
Rodriguez said March 1 he had been contacted by investigators and intended to cooperate.
Dr. Anthony Galea said during a March 8 interview with The Associated Press that he treated the New York Yankees third baseman last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but never gave him or any other athlete human growth hormone.
Other major leaguers, including the Mets' Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, have been contacted by federal investigators about Galea. Colorado closer Huston Street has said investigators might want to talk to him about the case. Reyes and Beltran have said they did not receive HGH from Galea.
Alex Rodriguez of New York Yankees ‘at ease’ with relationship with Canadian doctorFergie in Ronaldo hint
Reyes was diagnosed in early March with a hyperactive thyroid, and doctors prescribed rest and a change in diet. He was told not refrain from physical activity and was monitored and tested weekly in New York.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Reyes will resume full workouts Wednesday.
"It's a good sign for us today and, hopefully, it will be a good sign for the rest of the year," Minaya said. "Today is a good day."
Reyes was limited to 36 games last season because of a hamstring injury. He was pulled from stretching prior to what would have been his spring training debut March 5 when team doctors decided the abnormal results from his physical warranted further testing.
His only game action since May was an intrasquad scrimmage just before the start of exhibition play.
Though manager Jerry Manuel originally said Reyes likely needed 10 spring training games to be ready for regular-season play, Minaya did not want to speculate whether Reyes could appear in the April 5 opener against the Florida Marlins.
"Let's see how things go," Minaya said. "We are not going to say he is not going to be ready, but let's see when he comes out here how he gets himself prepared. The good thing is he came to camp in excellent shape. He is excited about being here, we are excited about him being here, but as far as Opening Day goes, we don't know."
Primera Division round-upNew York Mets’ Jose Reyes said to have thyroid imbalance
Nathan, who leads the major leagues with 246 saves since 2004, made the decision after playing catch with Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson for 10 minutes on Sunday.
"It didn't go like we hoped," Nathan said. "We knew it was a longshot, but I think this will clear my head. There definitely was no gray area. It was definitely on the dark side. We know now that we're going to need to go in and have some surgery done and get this thing taken care of."
Nathan hopes to have Tommy John surgery within two weeks to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He was injured on March 6 during a 20-pitch outing in a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox.
"The one thing we didn't want to do was work on this for two or three months and then have the surgery," general manager Bill Smith said.
The 35-year-old right-hander signed a $47 million contract two years ago that guarantees him $11.25 million both this season and next. The Twins have a $12.5 million option for 2012, with a $2 million buyout.
Nathan has set his sights on returning at the start of the 2011 season.
"I'm very confident," he said. "I've talked to the doctors. The percentages of coming back are very good. You never want to say 100 percent, but it's pretty close to being 100 percent of the time."
“
Nathan went 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA and a career-best 47 saves last season.
The in-house relievers likely to replace Nathan include Jon Rauch, who has 26 big league saves, the most of any Twins pitcher besides Nathan. Other possible candidates are Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, Jose Mijares and Pat Neshek.
"You can't just name a guy closer if he's not willing to be a closer. So you have to talk to people," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We know that probably everybody out there would say, 'Yes, I'd like to be the closer.' But if that guy's not really comfortable doing that, we want to give it a little more time. Then we will make the decision."
Rauch appears to be the most prepared for the role.
"He's got all the closing stuff: punchout pitches, the whole package," Gardenhire said. "Whether he wants to do that or not or whether it's the right thing to do remains to be seen."
The Twins could also try to trade for a proven closer.
"We may have the best option in-house, but we're going to consider everything," Smith said, adding: "Nothing has to be set for the entire season on April 5. We're going to look at what we have available. Obviously, we'll weigh what we have to give up in any trade as we do all year round."
Since hurting the elbow two weeks ago, Nathan had tried strengthening the muscles around the joint, hoping to pitch through the injury. But the throwing session confirmed his worst-case scenario.
"It started out well," Nathan said. "Everything felt good at the beginning. I didn't want to go super intense but enough to where it was along the lines of playing a normal game of catch.
"I got out to about 60 or 70 feet and started feeling a little bit of stiffness. I wasn't sure if it was from the forearm or from the elbow. I just kept throwing, and it became clear that it was an injured elbow. It was getting harder and harder. It became clear that it didn't feel good. I don't have a number on what I threw, but it wasn't very long. It was probably only a few minutes of playing catch when I started feeling stiff."
Nathan said he would rehabilitate from the surgery in Minnesota.
"I think it will help me get through this thing and at least be a part of the team a little bit," he said. "I'm very comfortable in Minnesota. We have a house there, and my family would like it. Obviously, I would like to help out whoever is thrown into that role."
He'll be missed by his teammates, though they're optimistic someone will step forward and succeed.
"We didn't know if Joe Nathan was going to be able to do what Joe Nathan has done over the last six years," right fielder Michael Cuddyer said. "Who knows what's in store for us now? Maybe it opens up a door or an opportunity for whoever it may be to step in."
Minnesota Twins’ Joe Nathan will play catch this weekend to test elbow with torn ligamentMathieu’s season appears over
Pujols
The three-time NL MVP missed a week this spring because of lower back pain he described as feeling like spasms. Pujols returned to play in five exhibition games before being pulled from the lineup against Boston.
"He received an MRI today and then an injection to put him over the hump, make him feel better," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "He's day to day. We'll see how he feels on Wednesday."
The Cardinals are off Tuesday.
Mozeliak said Pujols has felt some discomfort in recent days. Asked whether he thought the star first baseman's back could be a chronic concern throughout the season, Mozeliak said: "I don't get that sense."
The 30-year-old Pujols hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs last year in winning his second straight MVP award.
"We are going to get it treated and take a look at it," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "I think right now if we take care of it, he should be fine."
Alves ready for ‘big’ moveSt. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols out vs. Boston Red Sox after back discomfort
The Indians' closer has his own timetable.
"Two months seems like a long time for me," Wood said Sunday. "I don't think it will be that long. I think they might have added a little time on the end just to be safe -- which is better."
Wood is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks with a strained muscle below his right shoulder, an injury both he and the Indians initially dismissed as typical soreness. But when the symptoms Wood has endured for the past three or four springs persisted, he underwent an MRI which revealed a "moderate" strain to his right latissimus dorsi muscle.
In past years, Wood would have pitched through the pain. Not this time.
"Looking back, I'm glad we did [have the tests] because I was going to throw off the mound," Wood said. "I could have done more damage and it could have been a lot longer than it is. I've had a lot worse news than this."
Wood, who has undergone elbow and shoulder surgeries during his career, pulled himself from a scheduled outing on March 13 against Texas because the pain in his upper back wasn't going away. He figured ice and treatment would do the trick, but when he had the same soreness the next time he threw, Wood realized he was hurt.
"It's something I've felt here and there when I'm done throwing for the last few years," he said. "I ice it and come back and it responds the next day just fine. It just didn't bounce back or respond, so we checked it out. I was a little bit surprised with what they found."
Wood will begin rehab on Monday and should be playing catch within two weeks. He's not worried this injury will linger. In fact, he hasn't felt any pain in a few days, which has convinced him he'll be back sooner than expected.
The 32-year-old has been on the disabled list 12 times in his career, and Wood has felt enough aches and pains over the years to know when he's ready to pitch.
"It feels pretty good," said Wood, who signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the Indians before last season. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to talk them into letting me go any faster. But I don't have any symptoms and the strength is there. But I haven't pitched either."
Wood's injury is giving eighth-inning set-up man Chris Perez a chance to close. Perez made 60 saves while coming up through St. Louis' organization and the right-hander aspires to close games in the majors. Wood feels the 24-year-old Perez has what it takes and that Cleveland's bullpen can survive -- for the time being -- without him.
"Ultimately, we'd like to have everybody down there and have them fall into order the way they're supposed to and go about our business," Wood said. "But we've got enough arms down there to pick it up for a couple weeks. It's a good opportunity for him [Perez]. He's going to be doing that at some point."
With Wood out, Indians manager Manny Acta is going to have to juggle his relievers. Also, Wood's injury means there's an open spot in the bullpen that wasn't there just a few days ago. Acta has plenty of arms to choose from.
"One door closes and another one opens," Acta said. "It's an opportunity for somebody else to make the club that probably wouldn't have made it."
Jose Reyes of New York Mets told to rest, out at least two weeksInjury boost for Barca
ESPNChicago.com White Sox blog
Jenks, who has a 37.80 ERA in two spring outings, missed his turn to pitch on Saturday because of irritation. He is scheduled to pitch Monday against Kansas City and vowed to be ready for the opener against Cleveland on April 5.
"No doubt about it," he said on Sunday.
The calf has been an issue for Jenks since last season, when he missed the final 11 games and finished with 29 saves, but he said "regular routines" won't aggravate it.
"Unless I go out there and do something really stupid, its only going to get better," he said. "It was a good report."
Xavi blow for BarcaChicago White Sox’s Scott Linebrink hopes to end late slumps
"I'm not a believer that a player can come from amateur baseball and step right into the major leagues," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "I've seen terrific prospects attempt it and the failure rate is too great. This is a prized asset."
[+] Enlarge
The Nationals optioned the 21-year-old Strasburg, the top overall pick in June's draft, to Double-A Harrisburg. Easily the best pitcher in spring training for Washington, Strasburg got the news when he reported to Space Coast Stadium the morning after his most impressive spring outing.
He struck out eight St. Louis batters in four innings Friday night in his third spring start. Strasburg, who signed a record $15.1 million contract in August, allowed two first-inning home runs, then settled down and took command.
"It's all about confidence -- confidence in the pitches, confidence going out there. That's the bottom line," Strasburg said after clearing out his locker and packing his equipment bag. "The knock that people have on me is that I don't have experience and you're only going to get experience with time."
Displaying a fastball that reached 98 mph and a slider-curve hybrid that hitters had trouble reading out of his hand, Strasburg went 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out 12 in nine innings of three starts.
"What he did out there just verified what everybody had been saying. ... He did everything you wanted him to do. I don't think camp could have gone any better for him," manager Jim Riggleman said.
The only flaw the Nationals saw was Strasburg's propensity to rush his delivery out of the stretch. Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after watching Strasburg that the right-hander's velocity dropped several miles an hour when he had runners on base, making it easier for hitters to catch up to his fastball.
“
If they tell me what to do, I'm going to do it. Sometimes it won't make sense, but more times than not, it's going to work out in the long run. I trust what they're doing with me.
”-- Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg"If they tell me what to do, I'm going to do it," Strasburg said. "Sometimes it won't make sense, but more times than not, it's going to work out in the long run. I trust what they're doing with me."
If he stays on his current pitching schedule, Strasburg would be in line to start Harrisburg's Eastern League opener April 8 at Altoona. Rizzo wouldn't rule out summoning Strasburg to pitch April 3, when Washington hosts the Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game at Nationals Park.
When Strasburg will make his big-league debut remains to be seen. The Nationals led the majors with 103 losses last season.
The Nationals' rotation is unsettled past left-hander John Lannan, the presumed Opening Day starter, and right-hander Jason Marquis, a free-agent acquisition.
But keeping Strasburg in the minors until late May or early June could save the Nationals a sizable sum of money because it delays Strasburg's eligibility for salary arbitration and free agency.
"It's his developmental schedule -- that's the only prerequisite I have as far as a time frame," Rizzo said. "What's in his best interest, to develop the player at the fullest, not only for now but for long term."
Added Strasburg: "Hopefully I impressed the people that make the decisions and hopefully I'll be back here soon."
Among other moves for the Nationals, right-hander Drew Storen, the 10th overall selection in June's draft, was reassigned to the Nationals' minor league camp, along with catcher Jamie Burke and left-hander Doug Slaten. Left-hander Matt Chico was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
The moves leave Washington with 39 players in major league camp.
Outfielder Elijah Dukes abruptly released by Washington NationalsEnglish interest in Thiago
Lee was examined in Seattle on Friday by team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan. Lee underwent an ultrasound and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection. The team said he would be re-evaluated in seven days.
Lee
"We are hoping for a speedy recovery and look forward to him returning," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement.
It hasn't been a smooth first stretch for Lee with the Mariners. He underwent surgery on Feb. 5 to remove a bone spur on his left foot. That slowed his progress in spring training and he's been limited to just 5 2/3 innings so far.
He was also ejected from a game against Arizona earlier this week for throwing inside to Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder before zipping a fastball over his helmet.
Lee was suspended for the first five games of the regular season and fined by Major League Baseball vice president of discipline Bob Watson.
The trouble between Lee and Snyder may have started in the first inning when they collided as the pitcher was backing up a play at home plate. In the third inning, Lee was tossed after his two pitches to Snyder.
Snyder walked toward the mound and the dugouts and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown. Lee denied he was trying to retaliate.
"I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out of the game in the process," Lee said at the time. "That's it in a nutshell."
Snyder missed much of last season with injuries, and his Arizona teammates called Lee's actions "bush league."
Lee was acquired from Philadelphia in a four-team trade in the offseason, giving Seattle two of the top pitchers in the American League. Lee is expected to team with 2009 AL Cy Young runner-up Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation.
Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA for the Phillies after he was acquired from Cleveland on July 29. He was even better in the playoffs, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts and earning both of Philadelphia's wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees.
The 31-year-old has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract.
Mathieu’s season appears overSeattle Mariners’ Cliff Lee suspended five games for throw at Snyder
Nathan
The Twins were intentionally vague about the plan for Nathan to test it this weekend. Manager Ron Gardenhire says he doesn't want it "to become a media circus."
Tests showed a torn ulnar collateral ligament on March 9. The injury could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. But Nathan wants to test it out first to see if he can pitch through the pain and not miss what was shaping up as a promising season for the Twins in their new ballpark.
Gardenhire would not say what day, or where, Nathan will play catch.
Pep defends Henry handlingTwins closer Joe Nathan returning to Minnesota for tests
The exam was done Wednesday after Street felt tightness in his shoulder. He felt fine after throwing 25 pitches Monday in a simulated game, but felt tightness in the shoulder while playing catch Tuesday and underwent the MRI exam the following day.
"It's as good a news as we could've hoped for," Street said. "No structural damage. Now it's just trying to build back up again and try not to have any more flare-ups and get on a mound and develop a routine."
Street will open the regular season on the disabled list. He said he asked trainer Kevin Dugger when he might expect to be able to pitch for the Rockies, and wasn't surprised to get a vague response.
"The answer I knew I was going to get was we move slowly and get healthy," Street said.
Street will not appear in any Cactus League games this spring. He threw batting practice for the first time Feb. 26, the first day of Rockies full-squad workouts, and developed tightness in his shoulder the following day.
Street signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract after he converted 35 of 37 saves last season.
Colorado Rockies’ Huston Street experiences discomfort in right shoulderPepe tipped to be fit
"I don't know what to say. It felt a little funny," Dukes said told The Associated Press as he packed his car at the team hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I guess I wasn't expecting it. ... That's part of baseball. No big deal, no hard feelings. Just part of the game."
Fantasy Spin: Opportunity Knocks
The Nationals' release of Eljiah Dukes could give the outfielder a fresh start elsewhere. It could also give another player a chance to make an impact, writes Eric Karabell. Blog
The 25-year-old Dukes was expected to be Washington's starting right fielder this season, but the Nationals announced the decision before their exhibition game at the Houston Astros.
Wednesday was the last day the Nationals could put him on waivers and pay him 30 days' termination pay at the minor league rate of his split contract instead of 45 days at the major league rate. So he is owed a little under $41,000, instead of about $109,000, which he would have been due had he been released later in spring training.
Manager Jim Riggleman, general manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten all emphasized that the move was based on Dukes' performance and was not connected to any off-the-field issues. Rizzo, though, did say he thinks Dukes' departure improves the team's makeup.
"Elijah was great," Riggleman said. "He's done his work. He's got no issues. It's just a baseball decision."
Asked if any off-the-field incident could have precipitated his release, Dukes said: "Nothing happened. If something had happened, I'd know about it."
Indeed, while with Washington, Dukes appeared to have put his troubled past behind him. He had suspensions in the majors and the minors for various confrontations with umpires, coaches and teammates while in Tampa Bay's organization; arrests for assault and for marijuana possession; and paternity suits.
“
He never got any of the bad headlines everybody feared when he came here, and I think he deserves credit for that. ... If anyone says there was an incident, that person has no idea what he's talking about.
”-- Nationals team president Stan Kasten"He never got any of the bad headlines everybody feared when he came here, and I think he deserves credit for that," Kasten said in a telephone interview. "If anyone says there was an incident, that person has no idea what he's talking about."
Dukes' Florida-based lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press: "Mr. Dukes has had absolutely no new off-the-field legal issues whatsoever. Despite the recent loss of his father, the past year has demonstrated that Mr. Dukes has continued his growth as a professional athlete, as a parent, and as a person."
Added Dukes: "All I've been doing is my job."
Dukes hit .242 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs in three seasons with Tampa Bay and Washington. He was limited to 188 games with the Nationals the past two seasons because of injuries.
"There was no singular incident that caused us to release Elijah Dukes," Rizzo said. "It was a performance-based decision. With the ballclub we have now, I think the clubhouse will be more cohesive group. I think that the chemistry will continue to be great. We think were going to be a better ballclub moving forward."
Dukes was signed to a one-year contract paying him $444,000 in the majors and $249,300 in the minors.
Rizzo said the Nationals looked into trying to trade Dukes but couldn't find any interest. The GM also said the team did not want to put Dukes in the minors, although the player could have been sent there without passing through waivers.
"We thought he's a major league player," Rizzo said. "We didn't think it would help his development by sending him down to the minor leagues. We felt that it was best for him to get a fresh start with a different organization, and for us to move on."
Rizzo wouldn't rule out trying to acquire another outfielder, but he did say Washington will first try to replace Dukes in the lineup with someone already on the team, and Riggleman mentioned Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse and Willie Harris as the best options. Riggleman said prospect Ian Desmond will not be considered for the position.
Among those caught off-guard by Dukes' release was Maxwell, who wasn't aware of the move until reporters told him Wednesday morning.
"I was pretty surprised," Maxwell said. "I had no idea. I saw him this morning eating breakfast. I never had any problems with Elijah. But in terms of the team standpoint, I guess there were other things being said and done and some of it was a distraction to us. I think we'll be better for it, and I just wish him luck in the future."
Dukes said his agent was already working on finding a good fit for him on a new team.
"Most definitely, I'll be back," he said.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols is late scratch because of sore backLatics trail Callejon
Lee
NEW YORK -- Seattle Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee has been suspended for the first five games of the regular season for throwing a pitch over the head of Arizona's Chris Snyder in an exhibition game this week.
Lee is in his first season with Seattle. The former AL Cy Young winner was ejected from Monday's game.
Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson issued the suspension and a fine on Wednesday. If the players' association appeals, the penalty would be delayed until after a hearing and a decision.
Seattle Mariners’ Cliff Lee has first bullpen session of spring trainingPep defends Henry handling
Street has been hampered by inflammation in his pitching shoulder and has yet to throw in an exhibition game, putting him behind schedule. He threw about 25 pitches Monday and said afterward that his arm "felt great" but had discomfort during his throwing session the next day.
The 26-year-old Street was scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday and Rockies manager Jim Tracy said more information would be known once the results come back.
However, Tracy indicated that having Street ready in time for the opener April 5 in Milwaukee might be a stretch.
"Is it fairly safe to say there's probably a great chance he's not going to be available to begin the season in Milwaukee? Yeah, it's more than likely the case," Tracy said. "We're going to have to adjust accordingly."
Street signed a $22.5 million, three-year deal in January after saving 35 of 37 games for the Rockies last season. He had a forgettable NL division series against Philadelphia, though, losing two straight games.
Over the offseason, Street began his throwing program a little early so he would come into camp in top form.
Instead, his arm has been tight. He shut down his pitching session early Tuesday due to tightness.
"We don't want to push him through it," Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said. "We're just being safe, being smart right now."
The Rockies' bullpen has been besieged by injuries this spring. Lefty Jimmy Gobble recently hurt his groin, while set-up man Rafael Betancourt has been bothered by an inflamed shoulder. Betancourt threw 25 pitches in batting practice Wednesday and said he liked the way everything went.
"That's what I was looking for," Betancourt said. "Today was the best. I was able to throw all my pitches."
Even if Betancourt is healthy in time for the opener, Tracy wouldn't anticipate using him in the closer's role should Street still be sidelined.
Tracy would rather keep Betancourt as an eighth-inning specialist, a role he filled superbly last season. He was 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA after being acquired from Cleveland in late July.
"This man has been signed up here to be a set-up man," Tracy said. "He is unbelievable with that."
Franklin Morales and Manny Corpas would be the likely candidates to step in for Street, should his arm not be ready. Morales filled in last season when Street missed the final month with soreness in his biceps tendon. The 24-year-old Morales earned a save in six straight outings.
"I try to do my job in any situation," Morales said. "For me to close or whatever, if you give me one inning as a reliever, that's OK for me."
Corpas was the Rockies' closer in 2007, helping the Rockies to the World Series that season. He was beaten out by Street last spring, only to win it back in April. Soon after, Street took it back.
"I'm glad today is only St. Patrick's Day. We've got some time," Tracy said. "There's a lot of different options as to how this all plays out."
Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies agree to two-year extensionMathieu’s season appears over
The All-Star first baseman was at Osceola County Stadium early Sunday morning rehabbing the knee, doing simple squats, leg raises and knee bends after having loose cartilage removed from his left knee.
He is expected to miss two to four weeks, but he hopes to be back in his routine in two weeks.
"In two weeks, I'll be able to do pretty much everything, baseball stuff," Berkman said after his therapy session. "I'm not sure they're going to want me to play in a game at that point. But I think two weeks and I should be pretty much back to normal."
Team medical director Dr. David Litner told Berkman on Saturday that he had no ligament or meniscus damage.
Astros manager Brad Mills says the team will be cautious in bringing their star back.
"I want him to be 100 percent," Mills said. "I want him to feel like he's ready to go and that he's gotten enough work, enough at-bats. We'll just see how it goes. We're definitely not going to rush him back."
Sitting the 34-year-old Berkman could be a challenge for the first-year manager.
Berkman tried to talk Mills into playing him in the first game of the spring, when the swelling in his knee first appeared. Mills won out that time, but Berkman will be anxious to bounce back from one of the worst seasons of his career.
And the Astros desperately need his bat in a lineup that lost Miguel Tejada and finished near the bottom of the NL in runs, home runs, RBI and on base percentage.
Berkman posted the lowest batting average of his 11-year career (.274) last season and had just 80 RBIs, though he still had a .399 on base percentage.
"If I'm ready to go, I'm going to run out there regardless," Berkman said. "I've done it before where I had spring training the first month of the season when I had knee surgery the other time. It's not an ideal situation. I'd like to have 50 or 60 at-bats down here this spring and I'm obviously not going to get that. But I don't think it's going to have that big of an impact."
Berkman injured his left knee while running the bases during team workouts earlier this month and missed the spring training opener. He had the knee drained twice, but it continued to swell.
Berkman has had knee problems before. He had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee in 1999 and had surgery following the 2004 season on his right knee after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Berkman wants to be in the Astros' lineup on Opening Day against Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants on April 5, but he realizes that his long-term health is the key concern.
"Opening Day is great, but it is just a game," Berkman said. "I'm not going to jeopardize two or three weeks of the season if I don't feel like I'm ready to go on Opening Day. I either will be ready on Opening Day or shortly there after."
If Berkman can't play, the Astros will start utility man Geoff Blum at first. He is hitting .471 with four RBIs this spring.
Primera Liga round-upLance Berkman of Houston Astros sitting out spring training opener with bruised knee
"I'm just going there to see a back doctor and just make sure we're progressing in a way we need to be and if we need to ramp it up and do anything else, then we will," Roberts after taking infield practice with the team on Sunday morning.
"It's gone a while," said Roberts, who also has been slowed by a stomach virus this spring. "We'd like to get over the hump a little bit."
He said that the decision to see Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Monday was not connected to his infield session and that he still aims to be ready for the Orioles' opener at Tampa Bay on April 6.
"I feel fine doing that sort of stuff," he said. "I still have a little bit of discomfort in certain areas and in certain ways, so those are the kinds of things that we're just going to check and make sure that we don't need to try to do anything different treatment wise."
On March 9, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail admitted being skeptical that Roberts would be ready for Opening Day. He emphasized that skepticism after Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
"Every day that goes by you have to be less confident because that's one less day you have to get him the necessary at-bats," MacPhail said.
Manager Dave Trembley is missing Roberts' presence in the leadoff spot, but thinks he'll be ready.
"I talked to Brian [Saturday], and he told me he'd be ready to play April 6. He's going back to Baltimore to do what he can to make that possible," Trembley said.
Roberts expects to return to Sarasota that night or Tuesday morning.
"It's not fun," he said. "It's certainly not the way you want to prepare for a 162-game season."
Roberts led the American League in doubles last season with 56.
Pique set for contract extensionAngels reliever Shields says rehab on track
Hunter's original comments were made two weeks ago in one of a series of USA Today roundtables about baseball and published in Wednesday's editions.
"What troubles me most was the word 'impostors' appearing in reference to Latin American players not being black players. It was the wrong word choice, and it definitely doesn't accurately reflect how I feel and who I am," Hunter posted on his Angels-sponsored blog Wednesday afternoon.
"What I meant was they're not black players; they're Latin American players. There is a difference culturally. But on the field, we're all brothers, no matter where we come from, and that's something I've always taken pride in: treating everybody the same, whether he's a superstar or a young kid breaking into the game. Where he was born and raised makes no difference."
Hunter has long been known as one of baseball's sincere, good guys.
A call to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the article's author, was not immediately returned.
In the report, Hunter was quoted as saying: "People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African-American. They're not us. They're impostors. Even people I know come up and say: 'Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a black player?' I say, 'Come on, he's Dominican. He's not black.' ...
"As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us. It's like they had to get some kind of dark faces, so they go to the Dominican or Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?' ... I'm telling you, it's sad," he said.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a Venezuelan, scoffed at Hunter's remarks before Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Angels spokesman Eric Kay said Hunter will not further discuss the subject.
"I was laughing because when he said, `They go there and sign for potato chips,' I said, `Well, we've got Chapman. They gave him $12 million. [Cincinnati actually agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year contract with pitcher Aroldis Chapman.] We've got [prospect Dayan] Viciedo. They gave him $10 million. I remember in my time, one scout goes [to Venezuela and] 30 players show up. Now, 30 scouts go there and one player shows up. In our country, we play baseball. That's no choice. Here you can play basketball, you can be another athlete, you can do so many things when you have the opportunity. And that's why there's not many [African-American] players out there."
There has been some concern about the number of African-American baseball players. Many blacks are choosing to play other sports instead.
Black players accounted for 10.2 percent of major leaguers in 2008, the most since the 1995 season, according to the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.
"I keep saying a lot of times, in 10 more years American people are going to need a visa to play this game because we're going to take over. We're going to," Guillen said.
Pep defends Henry handlingTexas Rangers’ Vladimir Guerrero: No hard feelings toward Angels
The first baseman also agreed to defer $13.1 million of his $19 million salary in 2011 over a 10-year period beginning in 2014, the team said.
"We reached out for Todd in the wintertime, and had quiet discussions," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "He understood what we were trying to do and wanted to retire as a Rockie."
Helton was slowed by back problems in 2008 and underwent back surgery in September 2008. He returned last year to hit .325 in 151 games with 38 doubles, 15 home runs, 86 RBIs and a .416 on-base percentage.
"We think he can be a very productive player for the next years," O'Dowd said. "Maybe beyond that, who knows? We just didn't want this thing to get into the last year of his contract."
Helton signed a nine-year, $141.5 million contract extension in March 2001 that took effect in 2003. That deal will pay Helton $16.6 million this year and $19 million in 2011 with a $4.6 million buyout on a $23 million option in 2012. That buyout now becomes moot with Helton receiving $4.9 million in salary for 2012.
Alex Rodriguez of New York Yankees ‘at ease’ with relationship with Canadian doctorPique set for contract extension
Pujols was originally slated to play first base, then was moved to designated hitter before becoming a late scratch against the Washington Nationals because of a sore back. The three-time National League MVP has missed the last three games as a precaution.
"He says he's good to go, but if at any time during the workout he feels a twinge, we'll get him out," manager Tony La Russa said prior to batting practice.
Pujols took his normal turn in batting practice before the decision was made to pull him.
The Cardinals also scratched outfielder Matt Holliday from the lineup after he experienced soreness in his right rib cage following BP. The team expects Holliday to miss a few days.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols out vs. Boston Red Sox after back discomfortPep wants more from Henry
Center fielder Carlos Beltran already is expected to miss the first month of the season following right knee surgery Jan. 13. Reyes likely will be starting the season on the disabled list as well.
"It doesn't look good right now." Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday. "We will have to prepare for that."
Reyes has been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, and his levels were elevated after he exercised Monday and Tuesday. Although he initially thought he might be able to return after a few days, he will have to stop working out and will remain at home.
"Jose is obviously a little bit disappointed that it's going to be a matter of weeks as opposed to days, but it's a completely, treatable, curable situation," said his agent, Peter Greenberg. "I think we all view it as good news."
Doctors detected an abnormality during his physical, and Reyes was taken out of the lineup March 4 for additional medical tests. Reyes was told not to raise his heart rate and to refrain from eating seafood, which has iodine. He will be tested weekly.
Minaya and Greenberg said the thyroid should return to normal with rest and diet.
"There is no medication for this," Minaya said.
The cause of the elevated thyroid wasn't clear.
"We heard it could be something that could have been dietary or it could have been a virus," Minaya said.
Reyes, Beltran and first baseman Carlos Delgado missed long stretches last year as the Mets slumped to a 70-92 record and fourth place in the NL East. Delgado became a free agent and had hip surgery again last month.
Primera Division round-upNew York Mets’ Jose Reyes said to have thyroid imbalance
The three-time National League MVP did not play Sunday against the Florida Marlins -- a scheduled day off -- and is not expected to play against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, a game also being played in Fort Myers.
"We'll definitely give him tomorrow," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. "Even if we were home, I don't think he'd play. We'll see how he feels on Wednesday."
Pujols first experienced discomfort in his back on Sunday. Joe Mather will take his place at first base against the Red Sox.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he spoke to a trainer at the team's spring training complex in Jupiter and that Pujols is feeling better.
"It's just precautionary because obviously it's a three-hour bus ride over here, and we thought it made more sense to allow him today and see how it feels tomorrow morning," said Mozeliak.
"Obviously you want to be smart. You don't want to take something small and make it big."
Mark McGwire saddened by brother’s betrayal in writing book about steroid usePep defends Henry handling
Speaking a day after Dr. Anthony Galea told The Associated Press he treated Rodriguez last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but never gave him or any other athlete HGH, the three-time MVP said he still doesn't know when he will be interviewed by federal agents.
"I'm at ease no matter what," Rodriguez said when asked how he felt about Galea's comments.
Rodriguez sat in front of his locker at New York's spring training complex Tuesday and spoke to reporters for about 3 minutes about the situation. He seemed calm and even laughed at times.
"I got nothing new to report," he said several times.
Galea was arrested in Canada last October on four charges relating to an unapproved substance used in healing therapy called Actovegin. He is known for using a technique, called platelet-rich plasma therapy, designed to speed recovery from injuries. He has used that to treat several high-profile athletes.
Rodriguez said he feels "no pressure, not at all," even after Galea spoke about their relationship.
Rodriguez and other baseball players, including Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, have been contacted by U.S. federal investigators regarding Galea. The Denver Post reported Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street said he was on a list of players federal investigators wanted to interview. Reyes and Beltran each said they did not receive Human Growth Hormone from Galea.
The Yankees third baseman said he didn't know where his interview would take place.
"I'm not sure. Maybe here. I don't know. I'm not sure," Rodriguez said. "I'm not sure where Reyes and Beltran did it. I'm not sure."
When asked if he is choosing not to talk or has been told not to speak, Rodriguez laughed and said he "thinks the latter."
This had been a relatively quiet spring for Rodriguez compared to last year, when he admitted during an awkward news conference that he used steroids from 2001-03.
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said the team would talk to Rodriguez after federal agents do.
"We didn't know Alex was seeing this doctor, and we've been told he's going to cooperate with the authorities in full, and he's going to answer some questions for them," Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said after a news conference in New York. "And until that's done, there's just nothing to add."
Galea, who recently resigned as the team doctor for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, became the focus of authorities' attention last September when his assistant, Mary Anne Catalano, was stopped at the U.S. border in Buffalo, N.Y.
U.S. federal court documents say "20 vials and 76 ampoules of unknown misbranded drugs including Nutropin [Human Growth Hormone -- HGH] and foreign homeopathic drugs" were found in a car Catalano was driving.
But Galea said Catalano only could have had a tiny, half-empty bottle or one ampoule of HGH because she was bringing the drug across the border for his own use. An ampoule is a small sealed vial which is used to contain and preserve a sample.
The 51-year-old Galea says he's taken HGH, which is banned by the major sports, for a decade because it can improve the quality of life for people over 40.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre in Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
Rodriguez had hip surgery a year ago and Galea said he aided with the star's rehab. Dr. Marc Philippon performed the surgery, and chiropractor Mark Lindsay -- who has a history of close ties to Galea -- helped monitor Rodriguez's recovery.
Even if he's cleared in the investigation, Rodriguez could be in violation of his record $275 million, 10-year contract because a team has the right to approve doctors that aren't on its medical staff.
If Rodriguez was treated without club consent, any attempt to determine whether he violated the contract's guarantee language or baseball's collective bargaining agreement likely would hinge on whether treatment was elective or necessary.
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez relieved after World Series winMalaga open Munua talks
The Yankees left-hander struck out three, walked one and allowed one hit during a two-inning simulated game Sunday.
"I felt good," Pettitte said. "Last year I did this, and to me it's good to break it in. I can make this pretty real even though it's a simulated game. It's good for me, I think, for my first start."
Pettitte threw 18 pitches to Randy Winn and Colin Curtis in both innings in preparation for his first spring training start Friday against Washington.
It was the first game-type action for Pettitte since pitching in the World Series-clinching Game 6 in November. The simulated game took place on a back field at the Yankees' spring training complex in front of around a dozen fans.
"I couldn't get the big league field," Pettitte joked. "I've got a lawn mower out here [on the field]."
Pettitte used all his pitches, throwing 21 strikes.
Also, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli is scheduled to see a neurologist on Monday. He left Saturday's game with a concussion after being hit in the helmet by a pitched ball.
Cervelli also had a concussion in November after being struck by a back swing during a winter league game.
"It's a bigger concern," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said about Cervelli having two recent concussions. "Hopefully he's back in a few days, but we'll be cautious. You just take your time."
Girardi added that concussions are taken more seriously now than in the past.
"You think about the players in football that had to retire," Girardi said. "I think it's good that we pay more attention than we used to. We used to say, 'I got hit in the head.' Now we understand that there's serious ramifications. You have to be careful."
NotesCloser Mariano Rivera, LHP Damaso Marte and RHP Chan Ho Park all remain scheduled to throw batting practice for the first time Monday. ... DH Nick Johnson (lower back stiffness) took BP and is expected back in the lineup Monday. ... RHP Joba Chamberlain threw off a bullpen mound and said he is completely over a flu bug that shut him down for a couple days last week. ... Bench coach Tony Pena has the flu and was not at the ballpark.
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez relieved after World Series winRonaldo eyes Rooney link-up
