One day after a wild ride in the sky, Cliff Lee went back to work on the mound.
The Cleveland Indians’ ace allowed two runs and three hits over one inning in his first game action since winning the 2008 AL Cy Young Award, a 17-7 loss Friday to the Milwaukee Brewers in Goodyear, Ariz.
Lee spent Thursday riding in an F-16 fighter jet. He made the one-hour flight from Luke Air Force Base to tape a public-service commercial. It included barrel rolls and loops.
“It was a lot of fun,” Lee said. “I didn’t throw up. They said 95 percent of the people they take up there do that.”
Lee got approval from the Indians and said he didn’t even check whether there was language in the guarantee provision of his contract prohibiting such daring activity.
“There’s a crash, the contract wouldn’t matter anyway,” Lee said. “Then you look at the life insurance policy.”
from last season, when he went 22-3 with a 2.53 ERA.
“I threw all right,” Lee said. “They hit a couple of good pitches, actually. I’m not worried. Camp is longer this year, so there’s plenty of time to work on things.”
Wedge said All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore, sidelined since Feb. 27 with a groin strain, will likely start on Sunday.
In Tampa, Fla., the New York Yankees were still trying to determine how to treat Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury.
General manager Brian Cashman took part in a two-hour conference call Friday night that included doctors, team officials, Rodriguez and his agent, Scott Boras.
“We’re not there yet to make a decision,” Cashman said. “We’re making sure everybody understands the benefits and risks. It’s a pretty enormous task.”
Cashman said he’s pretty confident that surgery eventually will be needed. It could come after the season if Rodriguez plays through the injury this year.
“The question is when,” the GM said.
Cashman said no surgery is currently scheduled.
“Ultimately it comes down to Alex. What he feels is best – get the information, talk about it as an organization,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Talk about it with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It’s a tough decision no matter what.”
better.
The slugger had additional tests on his injured right hip Friday, according to team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner. The tests were designed to determine strength and flexibility now that a cyst in the hip has been drained.
A day earlier, Cashman said Rodriguez will attempt to play with a torn labrum and avoid surgery and a four-month rehabilitation period. The cyst was drained Wednesday.
“Everybody is concerned, of course,” Steinbrenner said after meeting with Cashman and Girardi for about 15 minutes before Friday night’s game against Detroit. “No decisions being made. Just being cautious. We’re going to take it slow.”
The diagnosis by Dr. Marc Philippon, in Vail, Colo., was yet another jolt to Rodriguez during a tumultuous one-month span in which the three-time AL MVP admitted using steroids from 2001-03 with Texas.
Girardi spoke with Rodriguez on Thursday night.
“He felt a little bit of relief from that cyst being gone,” Girardi said. “He sounded OK. I think he’s concerned, too, because it is a big decision. He’s worried about the season, how it affects us. I’m sure he has a million thoughts. He wants to be a part of something special this year. There is the risk-reward factor here.”
Rodriguez is in the second season of a record $275 million, 10-year contract, which likely will play a role in the final decision.
ect Alex to be productive for a long time. If he was retiring after the year, it’s a no-brainer. I do think you have to take that into account.”
In other news:
-Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, recovering from offseason hip surgery, should see action in his first Grapefruit League game within the next two weeks, barring a rehab setback.
-Oakland finalized one-year contracts with Nomar Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera, a pair of deals the team hopes will fortify its infield. Also, right-hander Justin Duchscherer will rest his sore elbow until next week after a second medical opinion confirmed swelling in the area.
-Washington pitcher Shawn Hill has no structural damage in his surgically repaired elbow, the team said after the right-hander was examined by Dr. James Andrews.
-Atlanta outfielder Garret Anderson sat out a game against Houston after pulling his right calf muscle minutes before the first pitch.
-Mark Sweeney, whose 175 pinch hits rank second in major league history, announced his retirement and joined manager Joe Torre’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Red Sox 5, Marlins 3
At Fort Myers, Fla., Josh Beckett allowed three hits in three scoreless innings for Boston after giving up no hits in four shutout innings in his two previous outings.
Angels 5, Giants 4
cisco, giving the 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner a total of seven scoreless innings in three exhibition starts.
Mets 5, Cardinals 4
At Jupiter, Fla., Chris Carpenter made his second start of the spring for St. Louis and pitched out of trouble for two scoreless innings.
Athletics 12, Mariners 1
At Phoenix, Oakland’s Jason Giambi was plunked by a pitch three times, prompting the plate umpire to issue a warning. Matt Holliday had two hits and drove in two runs.
Rays 8, Pirates 5
At Bradenton, Fla., Carlos Pena doubled twice and drove in three runs for Tampa Bay in his spring debut. Top prospect Andrew McCutchen homered for the Pirates.
Rockies 13, Padres 11
At Peoria, Ariz., Aaron Cook struck out six in four innings and Colorado became the last team in the majors to win this spring. Cook allowed up one run and four hits.
Royals 8, Rangers 7
At Surprise, Ariz., Andruw Jones went 2-for-4 with a walk in Texas’ loss, a game that started less than an hour after the five-time All-Star and non-roster outfielder went 3-for-5 with a home run in a “B” game against the Royals on a back field.
Because the “B” game stats don’t count, Jones is still hitting only .222 (4-for-18) with four singles and no RBIs in spring training.
Dodgers 5, Cubs 4
home run of the spring for Los Angeles.
White Sox 10, Australia 3
At Phoenix, Gordon Beckham, playing his first game at second base, had two hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot for Chicago. Normally a shortstop, Beckham was selected eighth overall by the White Sox in last year’s amateur draft.
Twins 3, Reds 0
At Fort Myers, Fla., Jason Kubel hit an RBI single off Aaron Harang in the first inning and Minnesota’s Glen Perkins allowed one hit in four strong innings.
Orioles 6, Nationals 2
At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Washington’s Daniel Cabrera surrendered four hits and one run in two innings against his former team. Left fielder Roger Bernadina made two spectacular catches to limit the damage against Cabrera.
Diamondbacks 4, Mexico 2
At Hermosillo, Mexico, Arizona starter Yusmeiro Petit gave up a run in three innings and Mexico was limited to just four hits overall.
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