A-Rod Out for WBC?
Alex Rodriguez has a hip injury, and his latest problem this spring casts doubt on his participation in the World Baseball Classic.
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An exam over the weekend revealed that Rodriguez has a cyst in his right hip, but he participated in the Dominican Republic’s first warmup game Tuesday and went 1-for-3 in a 10-1 win over the Florida Marlins.
Rodriguez doubled and scored before coming out of the game after 4 1/2 innings.
An exam Saturday revealed the cyst. The 33-year-old slugger is scheduled to visit Dr. Marc Phillipon on Wednesday in Vail, Colo.
“Alex has proven his durability throughout his career, and we will take every precaution and step necessary to ensure his health as we near the start of the 2009 regular season and beyond,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.
Rodriguez’s status for the WBC was uncertain. The Dominicans’ first game is Saturday against the Netherlands in Puerto Rico.
ing for the All-Star third baseman.
Rodriguez arrived at the Yankees’ camp last month in Tampa, Fla., shortly after a report that he had positive for steroids in 2003. During a news conference, he admitted he had used performance-enhancing drugs in 2001-03, saying they came from the Dominican and were provided by his cousin.
Meanwhile, A-Rod’s teammate with the Yankees, Derek Jeter, got to see what it was like to play against the Bronx Bombers.
“It was strange running to the other dugout. I almost ran to the other side a couple times,” he said in Tampa, Fla.
The Yankees captain, playing shortstop for the United States in a WBC warmup, hit a two-run single in the third inning of the Americans’ 6-5 victory over New York.
Jeter went 2-for-4 with a walk in a contest that “seemed like an intrasquad game” to him.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., Randy Johnson struck out seven in three scoreless innings in his first start against the Arizona Diamondbacks since leaving for San Francisco as a free agent this offseason.
The Giants overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Diamondbacks 7-6.
Johnson gave up two singles and a walk and had his slider in top form. He recorded six of his strikeouts with the pitch he usually doesn’t break out until later in the spring.
ngs, and today it was maybe my slider,” he said. “Next time, I can assure you I will throw a lot more off-speed pitches. Without a doubt, every time I go out there, there is an objective, whether it is stamina or pitches I am working on.”
At Fort Myers, Fla., Bernie Williams went 1-for-2 with a walk for Puerto Rico in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
After two years out of baseball spent making jazz music, hanging out on the beach and enjoying time with family, Williams is playing for his native country in the WBC and is pondering a return to the majors depending on how he performs in the tournament, which begins March 5.
“I think if he wanted to come back to baseball that he could probably find a job,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
In other news:
-Forget opening day, Johan Santana’s tender elbow might keep the Mets’ ace from making his first start until the second series of the season.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen said Santana is tentatively set to make his spring debut March 18 and indicated the left-hander’s schedule would put him on track to start the Mets’ fifth game.
-Nomar Garciaparra is nearing agreement on a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics.
ition of because the contract was not yet final.
-Barry Bonds is open to making a comeback. Whether any team wants him, that’s the tricky part.
Now that Bonds’ federal trial has been delayed at least until July, the agent for baseball’s home run king plans to contact all 30 major league clubs once again to determine whether there’s a place for the slugger.
Dominican Republic 10, Marlins 1
At Jupiter, Fla., Jose Bautista went 4-for-6 and drove in two runs, and Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz had two hits apiece for the Domincan Republic. Edinson Volquez, who will start the team’s first game in the WBC, pitched two innings and gave up a solo homer to Jeremy Hermida.
Cubs 6, Athletics 4
At Mesa, Ariz., Sean Marshall pitched three perfect innings to help give him the edge for the No. 5 spot in the Cubs’ rotation.
Indians 9, Royals 9
At Surprise, Ariz., Royals starter Zack Greinke, who signed a $38 million contract during the offseason, gave up four hits and four runs, including Jhonny Peralta’s towering three-run homer in the third.
Canada 6, Blue Jays 4
At Dunedin, Fla., Mike Maroth faced major leaguer batters for the first time since 2007, and gave up two runs in two innings for Toronto.
Brewers 8, Rockies 6
act with Milwaukee with a crisp outing, striking out five and allowing only one hit over two innings.
Tigers 7, Venezuela 5
At Lakeland, Fla., Detroit’s Nate Robertson got out of a no-outs, bases-loaded jam, but gave up three runs in three innings. Dontrelle Willis also struggled for the Tigers, allowing two runs – one earned – in three innings.
Twins 3, Puerto Rico 2
At Fort Myers, Joe Crede made his first start at third base for Minnesota. He saw immediate action, diving unsuccessfully for a hard-hit ball sent his way, and went 1-for-2 with a two-run double in the fourth inning.
Rays 12, Astros 2
At Port Charlotte, Fla., Jeff Niemann, one of four candidates for the final spot in Tampa Bay’s rotation, pitched three innings of two-hit ball.
Cardinals 15, Mets 4
At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kyle Lohse gave up three hits in 3 2-3 innings for St. Louis, and Chris Duncan hit a three-run homer off New York’s Freddy Garcia.
Braves 11, Panama 2
At Kissimmee, Fla., 22-year-old Tommy Hanson was impressive in his second spring outing, allowing an unearned run and two hits in three innings for Atlanta.
Reds 9, Red Sox 8
At Fort Myers, Fla., Johnny Gomes hit a grand slam for Cincinnati, and Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion added two-run homers.
rlands 4
At Bradenton, Fla., Free agent Sidney Ponson gave up three runs and five hits over three innings for Netherlands.
Dodgers 5, Padres 4
At Peoria, Ariz., San Diego’s Chris Young retired the first five batters before surrendering a solo homer by Mitch Jones, his only blemish in two innings in his second spring start.
Nationals 9, Italy 6
At Viera, Fla., Washington’s Roger Bernadina hit a three-run homer off Cody Cillo with two outs in the ninth.
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Posted: 3/4/09 12:09AM ET
