Tough breakPHOENIX – The A’s Bobby Crosby attributes his string of injuries to bad luck, not bad bones.
El Duque hit hard in spring debut (AP)Back on the mound after a bout was arthritis in his neck, Orlando Hernandez was hit hard in his first outing of spring training. El Duque gave up five runs and six hits in just two innings Thursday during the New York Mets’ 8-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. “I was able to throw all my pitches and not feel the pain in my neck, so it was good,” the 41-year-old right-hander said.
Former Phils coach Vukovich dies at 59 (AP)John Vukovich, the longest-serving coach in Philadelphia Phillies history and a member of their only World Series championship team, died Thursday. He was 59. Vukovich, who had been suffering from complications caused by an inoperable brain tumor, died in a Philadelphia-area hospital, the team said in a statement.
Clemens watches Yanks, unsure on return (AP)Roger Clemens hugged Joe Torre, spoke to George Steinbrenner and cheered for Andy Pettitte. More than 10,000 people turned out to watch the Yankees play Cincinnati on Wednesday night. Only one of those fans, however, might actually help New York win the World Series this year, which is why it created such a stir when Clemens showed up.
Santana tops Schilling in Twins’ 1-0 win (AP)If this had been the regular season, it would have been the matchup of the day, if not the week. Johan Santana bested Curt Schilling, pitching three scoreless innings to lead the Minnesota Twins over the Boston Red Sox 1-0 in a split-squad game Thursday, their second exhibition meeting this year. Schilling struck out four in four innings, allowing one run, two hits and one walk.
Braves’ Hampton to miss start of season (AP)Mike Hampton’s comeback took a major blow. And, no, it has nothing to do with his reconstructed elbow. The Atlanta Braves left-hander injured his left side during batting practice, of all things, and won’t be ready for the start of the regular season. Hampton, starting the seventh season of a $121 million, eight-year contract, will miss the rest of spring training and could be out as long as two…
