Baseball

Thome faces former team today

CLEARWATER -- Indians fans get a chance to welcome back former slugger Jim Thome today when he comes to Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven with the Phillies.

How will Thome be received in his former home? He hopes warmly.

"That would be nice just because I remember all the good times the fans gave me there," Thome said. "I respect that."

Thome, 32, had played only for the Indians before signing a six-year, $85-million deal during the offseason. The Indians did not come close to matching that deal, but Thome probably should expect some boos.

Either way, he said, he wanted to make the road trip.

"It will be interesting," he said. "It will be fun. It will be different. I'm looking forward to facing some of my buddies."

Friday, Thome went 2-for-3 in a 7-3 loss to Montreal at Jack Russell Stadium. He's hitting .400.

LIEBERTHAL STILL HURTING: Catcher Mike Lieberthal has not played since the Feb. 27 opener because of an abdominal injury.

"Whenever I start to run hard, I feel it pull a little bit," he said. "It's getting better, though. If it wasn't getting better, I'd be more concerned about it."

There is no definitive date for Lieberthal's return.

-- BOB BROOKOVER

Wells to start Monday

TAMPA -- David Wells tested his left ankle during a bullpen session and said he will start Monday. The left-hander, 39, has been hit hard in two starts and sprained his left ankle Wednesday while trying to avoid a grounder.

He threw 48 pitches in 10 minutes and took part in stretching and running drills.

MORE INJURY NEWS: Reliever Steve Karsay said his sore right shoulder felt "100 percent better than before." The right-hander played catch Thursday and didn't throw Friday but plans to play catch again today.

First baseman Jason Giambi missed his third consecutive game with an abdominal muscle strain. He hit off a tee and expects to take batting practice today.

And second baseman Alfonso Soriano did not take batting practice after briefly playing catch and taking several swings. He missed his second straight game with upper right arm and shoulder tendinitis.

-- TIMES WIRES

Blue Jays official has fun

DUNEDIN -- Someone is having a little fun at catcher Ken Huckaby's expense in the Blue Jays clubhouse.

On the bulletin board Friday was a letter to teammates, supposedly signed by Huckaby and accompanied by a picture of him.

"Dear Teammates," the letter read. "As the 2003 season approaches, I know you will be asked by friends and family for photos of some of the more popular players. With that in mind, I have made this task convenient for you by providing you with a color photocopy of myself."

The letter also says Huckaby will be pleased to schedule autograph sessions.

Huckaby had nothing to do with the letter, which was put up by Rob Godfrey, the Jays' senior vice president of communications. Godfrey happens to be sharing a condo with Huckaby and, according to Huckaby, has no idea how much trouble he is in.

"Payback is coming," Huckaby said. "He won't know when it's coming, but I have keys to his place."

MR. VERSATILITY: Having already impressed the coaching staff with his fielding at first base, catcher Tom Wilson moved to third for a few innings Friday in relief of Eric Hinske. Again, Wilson did not look out of place, handling his only chance cleanly.

-- MIKE GANTER

Watch ephedra, Fehr says

Union head Donald Fehr's office sent a one-page memo to all players this week warning them to "be extremely reluctant to use any products containing ephedra."

The union cited action taken last week by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which cautioned that users of ephedra-based products face "potentially serious risks."

Steve Bechler, a 23-year-old Orioles pitching prospect, died of heatstroke Feb. 17, and a Florida medical examiner linked the death to ephedra, an herbal supplement used to lose weight.

A'S: Outfielder Chris Singleton aggravated a strained right hamstring while running out a single. He is expected to miss a few days.

CARDINALS: Centerfielder Jim Edmonds will miss at least two weeks and might begin the season on the disabled list after severely straining his left calf.

DODGERS: Darren Dreifort pitched pain-free in his first start since wrecking his right elbow in June 2001, allowing one run in three innings against Baltimore.

Also, closer Eric Gagne is day to day after an MRI on his back showed nothing wrong. He experienced stiffness earlier in the week.

MARINERS: Jamal Strong, who averaged 62 steals in three minor-league seasons, has a torn labrum and a dislocated left shoulder and will miss at least four months.

METS: Pitcher Pedro Astacio probably will begin the season on the DL with a sore right shoulder. An MRI revealed inflammation in his right biceps tendon. He won't throw for at least 4-5 days.

PADRES: Leftfielder Phil Nevin dislocated his left shoulder while making a diving catch and is out indefinitely. X-rays were negative, and he will have more tests today. Before this year, Nevin had not played the outfield since 1999.

Also, right-hander Brian Lawrence agreed to an $8.1-million, four-year deal with a team option for 2007. In 2002, he went 12-12, leading the team in innings (210) and strikeouts (149).

PIRATES: Second baseman Pokey Reese went 0-for-2 with a walk against the Reds, his first game since missing the first eight with a bruised right index finger.

ROCKIES: Starter Scott Elarton, who missed last season after right shoulder surgery, threw three scoreless innings and retired his first eight Royals. He pitched two hitless innings Sunday.

TIGERS: Outfielder Dmitri Young, out since Saturday with a sore back, and catcher Brandon Inge, out since Sunday because of a sprained ankle, are expected to play Sunday.

-- TIMES WIRES

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