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Cruz set to rejoin Jays

DUNEDIN -- For Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez, there was another game just as important as Tuesday's with the Rays. At the Joe DiMaggio Complex in Clearwater, his centerfielder made a minor-league start to test an injury.

Martinez, and Jose Cruz, left satisfied.

Cruz has been hampered much of the spring with a strained left oblique muscle and had not played in a major-league game since March 15. In four innings Tuesday, in which he batted third in each inning and played centerfield, he had 1 double, 3 singles, 2 RBIs and 3 runs.

"It was good to see him; he stepped right in," said Martinez, who arrived late at Dunedin Stadium for Toronto's game. "He looks as though he's ready to go."

Cruz, the only American League player with 30 home runs and 30 steals last season, will rejoin the Jays today.

LAST CALL: Right-hander Chris Carpenter made his final start before the team's opener Monday in Boston. In 62/3 innings he gave up 3 runs, 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out four and threw 51 of 86 pitches for strikes.

He did not get a decision as the game ended 3-3 after 10 innings.

"He threw the ball well. It was a good outing for him, to get that many pitches and get that under his belt before he goes out against the Red Sox," Martinez said.

IN AND OUT: Shortstop Felipe Lopez returned after missing a week with right elbow soreness and played six innings. He went 0-for-2 with a walk.

First baseman Carlos Delgado missed his third game in a row with neck stiffness. An X-ray Monday revealed no damage.

STRANDED: Toronto had 11 hits and drew six walks off Rays pitchers but left runners on base in every inning except the ninth.

In the third the Jays had runners on first and second with no outs and failed to score, and they left the bases loaded in the fourth.

In the fifth Chris Latham tied the score at 3 with a double. He finished 3-for-5.

TODAY: The Blue Jays travel to Bradenton for a 1:05 game against the Pirates. The starter was to be determined.

-- JOHN SCHWARB

Posada rests back

TAMPA -- Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was scratched from Tuesday night's game with Pittsburgh because of lower back tightness.

Posada might return today.

"It's not something that would keep him out of the lineup in the regular season," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Posada has no shown no ill effects of offseason shoulder surgery. He is hitting .277 with one homer and seven RBIs in 18 games.

"I want to be cautious," Posada said. "I don't want to blow it out. I want to take care of it now."

RECOVERING: Yankees outfielder Rondell White went 3-for-4 in his second minor-league spring game.

White had been out since Feb. 25 with a left rib cage strain. He has been designated hitter the past two days and should play in the field by Thursday.

"I think the odds are against him," said Torre, when asked if White will be ready for opening day. "I think there is an outside chance he can break camp."

White, signed as a free agent during the offseason, is projected to be the starting leftfielder. He has been on the disabled list eight times during his major-league career.

TEST FOR MENDOZA: Reliever Ramiro Mendoza is scheduled to pitch two innings in a minor-league game today. The right-hander, who has been battling neck stiffness, will remain in Florida when the Yankees depart Saturday.

Backstops go deep

LAKELAND -- It was a good day for the Phillies catchers.

Backup Todd Pratt had two doubles and three RBIs, and starter Mike Lieberthal homered and drove in two as Philadelphia beat the Tigers 11-3.

Pratt, who was 4-for-35 (.114) going in, doubled home two off Jeff Farnsworth in the second and doubled home another off Juan Acevedo in the sixth.

"It seems like I've hit balls hard to every position in the field," Pratt said. "I hit the ball hard (Tuesday) and they didn't find anyone. That's baseball."

BOUNCING BACK: Right-hander Brandon Duckworth, who gave up nine hits and four runs in his last start, held the Tigers to five hits and one run in six innings.

"I haven't been able to hit the outside corner like that all spring," he said.

INJURIES: Outfielder Pat Burrell was scratched with a sore left shoulder. ... First baseman Travis Lee missed his fifth straight game with back spasms.

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