Josh Hamilton felt a twinge in his right ankle and quickly decided to take the rest of the day off.
“It’s no big deal,” the Texas Rangers center fielder said Sunday. “It just tightened up on me and we’ve got 800 spring training games left. These aren’t important.”
That cautious approach was being exhibited across the majors as teams played it safe with their banged-up stars in a spring training extended by the World Baseball Classic.
Alex Rodriguez has been healthy so far this spring but the Yankees third baseman has faced repeated questions about his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 with Texas.
He was interviewed by Major League Baseball officials on Sunday, and the commissioner’s office released a statement saying the three-time AL MVP was “cooperative.”
Rodriguez planned to be in Jupiter, Fla., by Sunday night to join the Dominican Republic team for World Baseball Classic preparations.
ve days.
“I think we backed off it early enough to where it won’t be an issue,” said Nathan, who aggravated the AC joint, which connects the collarbone and clavicle at the top of the shoulder.
The New York Mets are hoping a few days of rest will help Johan Santana, who said he was OK after he tested his balky left elbow with a bullpen session Sunday morning. The team decided against sending him to snowy New York for an MRI.
“He felt he was fine, so he’s not going to New York as planned,” general manager Omar Minaya said. “He’ll be seen by our doctors when they come down. It was the weather also.”
Santana long-tossed with new closer Francisco Rodriguez before heading to the bullpen for a 15-minute session with catcher Omir Santos. The 29-year-old left-hander threw 31 pitches hours before New York’s 13-1 win over the Houston Astros in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
“This is the first time in the last four days that I’ve thrown, but I feel fine and don’t think there should be any problems,” Santana said.
Hamilton hit a drive off the left-field wall for a triple in the bottom of the first in Surprise, Ariz. He jogged out to center field between innings but retreated to the dugout before the inning started, departing the Rangers’ 13-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners with tightness in his right Achilles’ tendon.
ry lead and when I went back something grabbed.”
Texas manager Ron Washington said he’ll give Hamilton the day off Monday ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled off day and re-evaluate after that.
“We’ll see how he feels,” Washington said. “It was precautionary.”
In other news:
-The Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled their $45 million, two-year offer to Manny Ramirez, and owner Frank McCourt said negotiations will have to start again from scratch.
-Jim Bowden resigned after four seasons as Washington Nationals general manager, leaving under the cloud of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to Latin American prospects.
He has maintained his innocence in the matter, but said Sunday, “I’ve become a distraction.”
-Rich Hill was scratched from his scheduled start for Baltimore because of a sore left elbow.
In other spring training games, it was:
Padres 4, Cubs 2
At Peoria, Ariz., San Diego’s Jake Peavy warmed up for his start for the United States in its WBC opener against Canada with three scoreless innings.
Giants 5, Brewers 2
At Scottsdale, Ariz., San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum retired all nine batters he faced and has tossed four scoreless innings in two spring starts, allowing just one hit.
Reds 13, Yankees 11
shed with 14 hits. Joey Votto, Laynce Nix and minor league catcher Craig Tatum also went deep. Aaron Harang, trying to come back from a 17-loss season, gave up three runs and six hits over three innings for the Reds.
Red Sox 2, Twins 1
At Fort Myers, Fla., star closer Jonathan Papelbon threw 11 pitches in a perfect fifth inning and earned the victory for Boston in his spring training debut. Josh Beckett, who made his second exhibition start, pitched two perfect innings.
Cardinals 14, Marlins 10
At Jupiter, Fla., Jeremy Hermida homered for the second straight day but also misplayed a ball in left field for the Marlins, who have 13 errors in their first five Grapefruit League games.
Orioles 7, Nationals 5
At Viera, Fla., Orioles catching prospect Matt Wieters hit a two-run homer. Scott Olsen worked two scoreless innings in his Nationals debut.
Phillies 7, Braves 3
At Kissimmee, Fla., Brett Myers made his Grapefruit League debut, allowing two runs and three hits over three innings for the World Series champions.
Pirates 6, Tigers 4
At Bradenton, Fla., Nate McLouth hit a three-run homer to lead Pittsburgh. Curtis Granderson homered for Detroit.
Blue Jays 6, Rays 3
At Port Charlotte, Fla., Jason Hammel worked four scoreless innings and has yet to allow a run in two spring training appearances for the AL champions.
als 4
At Tempe, Ariz., Gil Meche, Kansas City’s opening-day starter the past two seasons, was roughed up for four hits and three runs in one inning.
Indians 6, Rockies 4
At Goodyear, Ariz., Ubaldo Jimenez struck out three in three scoreless innings for Colorado.
White Sox 3, Dodgers 2
At Phoenix, Gordon Beckham homered in Chicago’s three-run ninth inning.
Diamondbacks 9, Athletics 7
At Tucson, Ariz., Oakland’s Edgar Gonzalez allowed two runs and four hits in three innings against his former team.
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