FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will probably not be ready for Opening Day because of inflammation in his right Achilles tendon.
"I think it's more unlikely as time goes on," team doctor Bill
Morgan said Saturday. "We wouldn't rule it out, though."
Garciaparra was injured three weeks ago when he was hit in the
right heel by a ball during batting practice. He has not played
since March 17, going hitless in eight at-bats in four games this spring.
Garciaparra took about 20 swings in the batting cage before
Saturday's game against Philadelphia, then took about 20 grounders at
short. He said he was not thinking far enough ahead to consider
whether he will miss the opener.
"I'm definitely going to be out a few more days. I'm still
optimistic, though," he said. "We're trying to knock it out now
so it doesn't come back."
Manager Terry Francona said Garciaparra would not play in the
April 4 opener against Baltimore if he were unable to first face
live pitching. Asked whether Garciaparra could play an exhibition
game in Atlanta on Friday, Morgan said, "He won't be playing
Friday."
"We're probably talking about another week before Nomar will be
back playing," Morgan said. "We're being very careful. If it were
September, quite frankly, he would be playing."
Tests on Garciaparra's leg have shown no major damage. Morgan
and Garciaparra both said there is no similarity to the wrist
injury that required surgery on Opening Day in 2001 and hampered
him for the next two seasons.
Garciaparra is entering his ninth major league season, all with
Boston, with a .323 career average and two AL batting titles. He is
eligible to become a free agent after the season, which is one
reason why the Red Sox tried to acquire Alex Rodriguez and trade
Garciaparra over the winter.
With Garciaparra out, the Red Sox have been using second baseman
Pokey Reese at short and Mark Bellhorn at second.
In other injury news, Morgan said right fielder Trot Nixon will
go to a rehabilitation center in Miami to recover from a herniated
disk. Nixon will stay there for two weeks and; in the second week
he can begin baseball activity such as light throwing and swinging
a bat.
Even after he recovers, Nixon will have to avoid sitting for
extended periods.
"I think that would be a lifelong recommendation, really, for
anybody with a spine problem," Morgan said.
Also:
Reliever Ramiro Mendoza reported no problems a day after
pitching a scoreless inning in his first appearance of the spring.
He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings on Saturday in a 7-2 victory
over the Phillies.
.
Third baseman Bill Mueller, who last played Wednesday night
because of an elbow injury, will sit out "a couple more days, just
to make sure he's not fighting it into the season," Francona said.
"He's good. We just want to make sure he's great."
Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim, who was expected to be the fifth
starter, threw from 150 feet on Friday and should be able to throw
off a mound before the team leaves Florida. He is expected to start
the season on the disabled list, with Bronson Arroyo taking his
place in the rotation.
Right-hander Jason Shiell (elbow) will start running again in a
couple of days.
Infielder Terry Shumpert (hamstring) is feeling better but not
ready to get in a game, Francona said.