The Oakland Athletics will start the season without their top pitcher, and the Boston Red Sox plan to take a close look at Dustin Pedroia’s injury.
Justin Duchscherer had another setback Saturday in his rehabilitation from a sore elbow, and the two-time All-Star won’t be ready for opening day with the A’s.
Duchscherer had to stop playing long toss in Phoenix because of persistent pain in his right elbow. He was given a cortisone injection and he won’t be able to touch a baseball until at least Tuesday.
“When I got to 75-80 percent, it started hurting,” he said. “The more I threw, the worse it got. Instead of taking a few more days off, we’re going to hit it hard with cortisone and take it from there.”
Duchscherer said the extra rest would prevent him from building up his pitch count.
“If I don’t feel better soon, I’d probably start the season on the DL,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of pitches to throw to get ready to start a regular-season game.”
ct to a temporary bullpen assignment, but at the moment it’s a moot point because he’s still in pain.
“To say the least, it’s frustrating,” he said.
When Duchscherer resumes throwing, he’ll have to start with light catch. He missed the end of the 2008 season with a hip problem that was surgically repaired last fall.
Pedroia was headed back to Boston Red Sox camp after leaving the World Baseball Classic because of a strained muscle on his left side.
The reigning AL MVP was placed on the disabled list for the second round of the WBC, but he said the injury isn’t serious enough to keep him from being ready for opening day.
The second baseman was replaced on the United States roster by Baltimore’s Brian Roberts.
Pedroia was scratched from the lineup before Saturday night’s 11-1 loss to Puerto Rico in Miami, a game that was stopped in the seventh inning because of the tournament’s mercy rule. He said he first noticed the injury while hitting during a workout Friday, and it worsened when he hit in the batting cage Saturday.
“Obviously, I’m upset,” Pedroia said. “Today I felt shooting pain, so that was a sign to stop. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious. I’m not concerned about the season. I’ll definitely be ready for the season.”
might have contributed to the injury.
“I’ve never had anything like this,” Pedroia said. “Maybe I pushed it a little bit too hard too fast.”
In other Red Sox news, shortstop Julio Lugo had an MRI on his balky right knee.
Lugo left Friday’s 8-4 victory over the New York Yankees in the first inning. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the results would be sent to team doctors this weekend, but didn’t sound hopeful.
“The concern is a meniscus tear,” Francona said. “We’ll hope for the best.”
Jon Lester, who was supposed to start Saturday’s game for Boston, instead threw four innings in an intrasquad minor league game in Fort Myers. The Red Sox announced the switch Friday night and said another announcement would be made regarding the left-hander on Sunday. Lester’s agent has been working on a long-term deal with the team.
In other news:
-Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, coming off right shoulder surgery, is scheduled to play behind the plate for the first time Sunday. He is expected to play three innings.
New York closer Mariano Rivera (right shoulder surgery) threw 40 pitches during his second batting practice session and is set to make his first spring appearance Tuesday.
the back of the shoulder all spring. Marte has inflammation in his throwing shoulder, which the left-hander believes is the result of lifting weights. Both will have MRIs on Sunday.
-White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras, coming back from rupturing his Achilles’ tendon in August, is set to make his Cactus League debut Sunday against Seattle. Contreras hadn’t been expected back until midseason, but he’s months ahead of schedule.
Bartolo Colon, another potential starter for Chicago, is expected to make his spring debut Monday against Kansas City. He’s coming back from offseason elbow surgery.
-The New York Mets shut down right-hander Tim Redding, citing soreness and a lack of strength in his pitching shoulder. They said it is unlikely he will make the opening-day roster.
Yankees (ss) 3, Astros (ss) 1
At Tampa, Fla., New York’s A.J. Burnett threw four perfect innings and has allowed one hit over six shutout innings in two spring training starts.
Yankees (ss) 13, Pirates 10
At Bradenton, Fla., Pittsburgh’s Ross Ohlendorf pitched four flawless innings against his former team.
Orioles 9, Red Sox 8
At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Felix Pie had a two-run homer and three RBIs for Baltimore. Nick Markakis and Donnie Murphy also connected.
Nationals 6, Mets 2
cause of a muscle strain in his lower left leg. Pelfrey pitched four scoreless innings in his first game since March 4.
Phillies 5, Astros (ss) 2
At Kissimmee, Fla., Jayson Werth homered and drove in two runs for Philadelphia.
Tigers 10, Blue Jays 4
At Lakeland, Fla., Nate Robertson allowed one hit in three scoreless innings of relief to bolster his case for the final spot in Detroit’s rotation.
There could be two openings because Jeremy Bonderman has a sore shoulder, but he threw 30 pitches Saturday against Tigers minor leaguers and reported no pain. Bonderman will start Thursday against Atlanta.
Rays 3, Reds 1
At Sarasota, Fla., Scott Kazmir allowed one run and five hits in four solid innings for Tampa Bay.
Indians 8, Padres 6 (ss)
At Peoria, Ariz., Fausto Carmona threw four scoreless innings and Jhonny Peralta continued his impressive spring with a two-run single for Cleveland. Peralta is hitting .565 with two homers and nine RBIs.
Padres (ss) 8, Giants (ss) 4
At Scottsdale, Ariz., Chase Headley and Nick Hundley each hit a two-run double for San Diego.
Angels 6, Cubs 4
At Mesa, Ariz., Joe Saunders pitched four shutout innings in his second spring start for Los Angeles, giving up three hits.
Dodgers 7, Brewers 3
At Phoenix, Russell Martin, Delwyn Young and Valentino Pascucci homered for the Dodgers.
Cardinals 2, Braves 1
At Jupiter, Fla., Adam Wainwright limited Atlanta to one run and six hits in five innings. It was a huge improvement over his first two outings in which he yielded nine hits and six runs, three earned, in 4 2-3 innings.
Marlins 9, Twins 5
At Fort Myers, Fla., Kevin Slowey tossed four shutout innings and Michael Cuddyer hit a solo drive for Minnesota.
White Sox 8, Rangers 4
At Phoenix, Brian Anderson hit two home runs, including a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Athletics 8, Giants (ss) 3
At Phoenix, Orlando Cabrera made his Oakland debut and Jason Giambi hit his first homer of the spring.
Diamondbacks 11, Royals 3
At Surprise, Ariz., Jon Garland tossed four scoreless innings and Tony Clark went 4-for-4 for Arizona.
Mariners 10, Rockies 5
At Tucson, Ariz., Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe struck out twice in his first action in nearly two weeks. Hawpe needed four stitches in his left pinkie after being spiked while running back to second base Feb. 27 against the Los Angeles Angels.
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