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| Monday, March 24 Updated: March 25, 11:26 AM ET Injured Washburn might not start until April 5 ESPN.com news services |
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Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced the decision Monday, saying ace Jarrod Washburn probably won't start until April 5 in the team's fifth game of the season at Oakland.
Lackey went 9-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 18 games last season after being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in June. The 24-year-old right-hander was the Angels' first overall pick in the 1999 free-agent draft.
He gave up one run in five innings of the Angels' 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the Series at Edison Field. Washburn, an 18-game winner last year, sprained his left shoulder early this month to set him back. Scioscia said Washburn will pitch in a minor league game Sunday while the Angels are facing the Rangers to begin the season.
Washburn would rejoin the team Monday and pitch in Oakland five days later if all goes according to plan.
Scioscia also said he expects center fielder Darin Erstad to be in the lineup Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Recovering from offseason surgery on his right hand, Erstad left Sunday's game against San Diego after three innings with soreness in his hand and didn't play in Monday's 5-4 victory over Seattle.
Sasaki, a two-time All-Star, hasn't pitched in a game since March 15 and has pitched only three innings in the exhibition season. The 35-year-old right-hander, who threw 41 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, is scheduled to pitch in Cactus League games Thursday and Sunday. If Sasaki isn't available for the start of the season, right-hander Jeff Nelson and left-hander Arthur Rhodes would close for Seattle. "I try not to think a whole lot about that, but you have to," Mariners manager Bob Melvin said Monday. Sasaki, who had 37 saves in 61 games last season, had surgery Oct. 28 in Japan to remove bone chips from his right elbow. When he returns, he probably won't pitch on consecutive days. "And we're probably not looking at two-inning saves to start, that's for sure," Melvin said.
The Oakland Athletics' shortstop was bothered by the knee for the past couple of weeks and then was hit by a pitch Sunday.
"The trainer told me to take it easy on him for a couple of days,'' A's manager Ken Macha said Monday. "We're playing it on the safe side. He wanted to know if he was playing.'' Chavez ejected: Pinch-hitter Adam Melhuse hit a three-run homer on the first pitch after Eric Chavez was ejected but the A's lost 5-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Chavez was ejected by plate umpire Bill Welke in the sixth inning after questioning a pitch that made it 1-2.
"I told him I thought the pitch was outside and he said 'Of course you did, a lefty threw it,''' Chavez said. "Then I said a few things and got run. I've never been thrown out before. I don't argue balls and strikes but he just pinched a nerve.''
"I'm just pitching,'' Weaver said. "It's not my decision.''
The right-hander struck out four and walked one. He has given up four runs and walked just one over 20 innings in five games this spring. Contreras struggles: New York Yankees right-hander Jose Contreras allowed six runs and seven hits over five innings in a minor league intrasquad game Monday.
Although no announcement has been made, Contreras is expected the start the regular season in the bullpen. Contreras, who has been competing with Weaver for the fifth spot in the rotation, said he hasn't outpitched the other Yankees' starters this spring.
"The other five starters have done a better job than I have,'' Contreras said. "If I start the season in the bullpen, I'm just going to work hard and try and earn a spot in the rotation.''
Contreras, pitching against Triple-A Columbus, walked four, hit a batter and struck out three. He threw just 50 of 91 pitches for strikes.
Lawton had a pair of three-run homers and seven RBI in the first three innings off Marquis as the Indians beat the Atlanta Braves 22-0 Monday night.
Rookie starter Jason Davis pitched five scoreless innings for Cleveland, which hasn't allowed a run in 20 consecutive innings. Davis gave up five hits and lowered his spring training ERA to 1.42.
Lawton had two hits -- including his first home run -- and drove in four runs in the first, part of a 10-run inning. All but one of the starters for Cleveland had a hit by the second inning, including Davis.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips was the only one without a hit, but he scored a run after he drew an intentional walk.
Infielder Wilton Guerrero and outfielder Jose Guillen were assigned to the minor league camp, and Reitsma was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. The Reds are down to 26 active players in camp, one over the limit. Reitsma, 25, had an inside track on a starting job when camp opened but got demoted because he had a shaky spring and was the only pitcher left with minor league options. "That doesn't make it easy, that doesn't make it right, but that's the way it is," Reitsma said, pausing to take breaths to control his anger. "I need to be in the big leagues. I've proved I can do it. "I'm positive there are 20 to 25 other clubs out there that would love to have me. I know that for a fact. That being said, they control my rights." Reitsma (6-12, 3.64 ERA in 21 starts and 11 relief appearances last season) gave up 10 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings this spring, opening the way for left-hander Jimmy Anderson (1.37 ERA) to take his spot. "Jimmy Anderson came in and pushed his way into the mix," manager Bob Boone said. "Coming in, I would have guessed Reitsma over Anderson." Paul Wilson is expected to take the fifth starter's spot, even though he hasn't appeared in a big league game this spring because of a strained rib cage and sore hamstring. Wilson pitched in a minor league game Monday. If Wilson isn't ready, the Reds could put him on the DL and recall Reitsma.
Beltre fouled a pitch from Houston's Wade Miller off his ankle in the second inning of Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros and it was feared he might miss the remainder of the exhibition schedule.
But Beltre said he felt better Monday after icing his ankle several times Sunday night although there was still some swelling.
"Last night it was hurting bad,'' Beltre said before X-rays were taken. "This morning, it's getting better.'' Beltre was listed on the traveling squad for Tuesday's game at Port St. Lucie against the New York Mets.
"We'll see how he's doing,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "If he's OK and playable, he's on the trip to Port St. Lucie.''
Beltre is hitting .333 with two homers and eight RBI and only two strikeouts in 39 at-bats this spring.
The Dodgers open the season next Monday at Arizona.
With experienced starters Jeff Suppan and Jeff D'Amico improving the staff, there wasn't a spot for Meadows anymore. He retired the final 15 batters he faced and was 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA this spring. "He didn't do anything to pitch himself out of it," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We just had guys we felt help us more." The Pirates will open the season next Monday in Cincinnati with right-handers Kris Benson, Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, Suppan and D'Amico as their starters. After making a series of moves Monday, the Pirates are down to 28 players, three over the opening day limit. They reassigned infielders David Doster and Mike Gulan and right-hander Pat Mahomes to minor league camp and placed left-hander Dave Williams and right-hander Mike Lincoln on the 60-day disabled list.
Prior allowed five hits, one walk and hit two batters. He struck out six.
Augie Ojeda drove in one run in the eighth with a bases-loaded fielder's choice. Charles Gipson was hit by a pitch to force in a run, and Lenny Harris drove in the final two runs with a single.
Milwaukee starter Matt Kinney went six innings, allowing four hits and one run. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter.
The Brewers scored both of their runs in the first inning. With two outs, Prior hit Richie Sexson with a pitch. John Vander Wal doubled, and Jeffrey Hammonds drove both runners home with a double.
His performance this spring has helped, too. Ramirez, who spent most of last season at Double-A Greenville, has gone 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA, the most victories without a loss among NL pitchers. His final start before the regular season will come Tuesday against Detroit.
"I never expected to have this much success this spring,'' Ramirez said. "I mean, I trust my stuff and have confidence in my ability, so I knew I could get guys out. But it's gone better than I hoped.''
A crafty pitcher who rarely gets his fastball above 90 mph, Ramirez relies on his control and a sinker to keep batters off-balanced. He works both sides of the plate, and even when he's behind in the count, he's not afraid to any of his four pitches.
In order words, another piece of the puzzle for the pitching-heavy Braves. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. |
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