The Padres’ big game hunterPEORIA, Ariz. – David Wells returned from an African safari hoping to bag a bigger prize: a World Series ring with San Diego.
Matsuzaka throws three shutout innings (AP)Daisuke Matsuzaka reached to snare a line drive, then grinned and bowed to his shortstop. It turns out the rookie from Japan is a pretty good fielder. He can pitch, too: Matsuzaka threw three scoreless innings for the Boston Red Sox when he faced major league hitters for the first time Tuesday. Dice-K allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three to help Boston beat the Florida Marlins 14-6 in…
Puckett honored on anniversary of death (AP)One year after the death of Kirby Puckett, the Minnesota Twins paused to remember the Hall of Fame outfielder and his lasting impact on the organization. Center fielder Torii Hunter, a close friend and the only current Twins player who was a teammate of Puckett’s during past spring trainings, has found it difficult to talk about the subject since Puckett died of a stroke at age 45 on March 6 last…
Marlins’ Johnson out at least two months (AP)Florida Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson finally has a diagnosis for his sore arm — an irritated ulnar nerve that will likely force him to miss at least the first two months of the season. Johnson was relieved to learn the injury wasn’t worse. “If it was real bad, I’d probably be out for four months,” he said Tuesday.
Piazza hit by pitch, bruises triceps (AP)Mike Piazza is already banged-up a bit. Oakland’s designated hitter was plunked just above his left elbow by a pitch from Kansas City’s Brian Bannister on Tuesday and left the Athletics’ 3-2 loss in 10 innings. Piazza, a longtime catcher, has a bruised left triceps. Impressions from the seams of the baseball were visible on his elbow in the clubhouse after the game.
NL batting champ Sanchez injures knee (AP)Reigning NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez sprained a ligament in his right knee Tuesday and left the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 11-10, 10-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Sanchez was injured when the Phillies’ Rod Barajas slid into his knee as he was turning a double play at second base in the fourth inning.
Horacio Ramirez gets best of Sosa (AP)Horacio Ramirez got Sammy Sosa again. “You trying to get me killed, or what?” Ramirez said after striking out Sosa during three hitless innings Tuesday in the Seattle Mariners’ first win of spring training, 10-3 over the Texas Rangers. Sosa, who hasn’t appeared in regular season game since Aug. 25, 2005, later flied out against Arthur Rhodes and singled off Eric O’Flaherty.
