Matthews apologizes for distraction (AP)Gary Matthews Jr. apologized to the Los Angeles Angels for causing a distraction to the team during spring training. Matthews allegedly was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy that’s part of a widespread steroid investigation, and Angels owner Arte Moreno has asked Matthews to publicly address the issue, a stance baseball commissioner Bud Selig backed Saturday.
Chipper Jones sprains ankle vs. Cards (AP)Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones sprained his left ankle on his first at-bat Monday and was removed from the game St. Louis. Jones broke awkwardly from the box on a grounder to first and jogged a few steps before turning around and limping to the dugout. The team said Jones, who has been plagued by foot problems in recent seasons, was day to day.
Cards’ Isringhausen to pitch Thursday (AP)Jason Isringhausen is set to make his spring training debut Thursday, right on schedule. The St. Louis Cardinals closer missed the World Series after hip surgery in September. He threw to hitters on a back field for the third time on Monday and by all accounts was sharp “He’s looked better every time out,” catcher Gary Bennett said.
Red Sox’s Lester pitches simulated game (AP)Jon Lester threw 37 pitches in a simulated game Sunday. By the time spring training ends for Boston, he hopes to be up to five innings. That falls short of where he hoped to be but is an impressive return from cancer treatments and medical tests three months ago that showed he was free of the disease.
Phils’ Moyer throws five shutout innings (AP)Jamie Moyer was so efficient he completed his outing before reaching his pitch count. The Philadelphia Phillies’ left-hander was scheduled to throw 70-75 pitches, but needed just 59 to cruise through five shutout innings against a Detroit Tigers split squad Sunday. The Tigers rallied in the late innings to win 5-3, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was pleased with Moyer’s performance.
