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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 28, 2002
Wells, Giambi say they're ready to go
TAMPA -- Left-hander David Wells reported no problems after a bullpen session and remains on target to make his first appearance since July on Monday.
"If something happens, it happens," said Wells, who is coming off back surgery last summer. "Every day is a better day. I don't anticipate anything happening because I'm feeling good."
Jason Giambi, who had tightness in his left hamstring Sunday, is expected to play Saturday against Toronto.
Giambi likely would play first base.
"It's getting better every day," Giambi said. "If it was the regular season, I'd be in there (today)."
INJURY UPDATE: Outfielder Rondell White will not hit or throw for at least 10 days because of a strained left rib cage sustained while swinging Tuesday.
"It's not as bad as (Tuesday), but it's sore," White said. "It's always frustrating."
LATE ARRIVAL: Infielder Manny Alexander is in camp after clearing up paperwork for his visa. General manager Brian Cashman said the problem was not age related.
CLEARWATER -- After watching Pat Burrell take batting practice in blustery conditions, manager Larry Bowa said Mike Schmidt's presence already is helping. "He was crushing balls that were going into the teeth of the wind," Bowa said. "He was hitting mostly line drives. Schmitty has got to him. He has helped him out a lot."
Since joining the Phillies as a special spring training hitting instructor earlier this week, Schmidt has spent a good portion of his time talking to Burrell. Last year at age 24, Burrell hit .258 with 29 doubles, 27 home runs and 89 RBIs in his first full big-league season. Schmidt, as a 23-year-old rookie in 1973, hit .196 with 11 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.
"Some of these kids may be able to relate to him," Bowa said the day Schmidt arrived. "He had to work hard to get to where he got. He struggled early and then ended up being the best ever."
Burrell, the first overall pick in the 1998 draft, said he is hoping to bounce back. "It was the first time in my life that I've had struggles," he said. "It got to the point where I was taken out of the lineup. When you get taken out of the lineup and you're not hurt, it stinks."
Burrell said he has adjusted his swing with help from Schmidt and hitting instructor Greg Gross. "I'm trying to hit some hard line drives and ground balls," Burrell said. "My swing has a natural lift. Instead of swinging under the ball, I'm trying to hit down on it and create a lot of backspin." SCHMIDT TO MANAGE: Bowa said Schmidt will manage the first three innings against the Cardinals on March7 in Jupiter. Schmidt lives in Jupiter, and it will be his final spring training game with the team.
TIME TO PLAY: The Phillies will have an intrasquad game today with all eight regular position players expected to play. They play Saint Leo University at 12:05 Friday at Jack Russell Stadium then open their schedule at home against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Vicente Padilla will start against Saint Leo and Robert Person against the Pirates.
DUNEDIN -- If you're looking for one of the most loaded positions in camp, look behind the plate.
Darrin Fletcher is No. 1. The race is on for No.2. With the Jays a day away from opening the exhibition season, the job appears to be Tom Wilson's to lose. Wilson, 31, played nine games with Oakland last year but was on its roster for three months. "The first thing you think about when you're looking at a backup catcher is a guy who can come in after not playing for four or five days and can get you through a ballgame and catch and throw," manager Buck Martinez said.
"Can a kid do that? Probably not. It's a difficult thing to do. Has it been done before by a kid? Absolutely. But your first inclination is to go with the guy who has a little experience." Waiting in the wings are prospects Josh Phelps, Jayson Werth and Kevin Cash.
MULTITALENTED: The Jays have plenty of youth, but when it came to finding a role player, general manager J.P. Ricciardi didn't waste time in signing Dave Berg. Berg, 31, spent the past four seasons with Florida, playing short, second and third. "Dave Berg's a grinder. He plays hard all the time," Ricciardi said. "He can play three positions, and he gives you good at-bats. You want your support guys to be like him. He has experience and knows how to play coming off the bench. He's a pro."