Baseball

Torre: Camps judged tougher

TAMPA -- He doesn't view spring training standings as seriously as owner George Steinbrenner does, but Yankees manager Joe Torre realizes that results are being scrutinized more intensely.

"The game is different," Torre said this week. "You used to make light of losing in spring training. That's no longer the case. There is so much more made out of winning games.

"I was fortunate. Once I got to the big leagues spring training was a lot of fun. We took it as this quaint little getting-in-shape type of thing."

Torre pointed out that Rays manager Lou Piniella has been questioned about losing this spring training: "Whether you're in business, corporate America or whatever, it's right now. There's no patience."

The Yankees have shown that a losing spring training record doesn't mean much. From 1998 through 2001, when the Yankees won four straight AL pennants and three World Series titles, they had one winning spring training, going 15-12 in '98. The AL title run ended last season after a 20-14 spring when New York was beaten by Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs.

SHOW ME THE DOOR: Sterling Hitchcock does not expect to be with the Yankees much longer after the left-hander allowed six runs and nine hits over 52/3 innings in a minor-league game at Clearwater. Scouts from Colorado, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal and Texas watched. Cincinnati and Minnesota are among the teams that scouted Hitchcock this spring. "At this point, it's nice to be wanted -- hopefully, just get a chance to move on and get a chance to pitch somewhere," he said. Among seven starters, Hitchcock would be used as a long reliever if he stays with New York. He is in the final season of a $12-million, two-year contract.

OBITUARY: Former Yankees shortstop and longtime minor-league team owner Joe Buzas died at 84 on Wednesday in Salt Lake City. Buzas owned the Salt Lake Stingers of the Pacific Coast League, the Triple-A franchise for the Angels. He had been ill for several years, the team said. Buzas began his career in 1941 and was the opening-day shortstop in 1945, but he played only 30 games in the major leagues and batted .262.

Wendell, Michaels probably will miss opener

CLEARWATER -- Phillies reliever Turk Wendell will be on the disabled list when the season begins for the second straight year, and it appears Jason Michaels also is in danger of not being ready.

Wendell, sidelined this week by swelling in his surgically repaired right elbow, returned to his home in Colorado on Wednesday to tend to personal business. The Phillies do not know when he will return, but manager Larry Bowa said there's no way the veteran reliever can be ready in time to start the season.

Michaels remains sidelined by a strained oblique muscle, and there's no date set for his return. Bowa said if Michaels isn't back before the middle of next week the reserve outfielder won't be ready to start the season in the majors.

Michaels, who hit .267 as a reserve last season, is fighting for a job with Nick Punto. Punto has had two brief stints in the big leagues the past two seasons and is projected to be an extra man. He can play second base, shortstop and third and has worked on playing the outfield.

TUG UPDATE: Bowa spoke to Tug McGraw on Wednesday night and said the former reliever was in great spirits.

"He sounded great," Bowa said. "I told him to hurry up and get back in uniform. He started laughing. If he would walk through those clubhouse doors, that would be a great lift for this team. I think that might be asking too much."

McGraw, hospitalized since March 12, had a brain tumor removed Tuesday. Bowa said McGraw could be released from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa by the end of the week.

Halladay looking good

CLEARWATER -- Roy Halladay pitched another six shutout innings in the longest start by any Toronto pitcher this spring in the Blue Jays' 1-0 loss to the Phillies.

Halladay, Toronto's opening-day starter, allowed four hits while walking two and striking out two. He made 73 pitches, 46 of them strikes. Pinch-hitter Tyler Houston drove in the only run with a seventh-inning single.

A 19-game winner and All-Star last season, Halladay extended his scoreless streak this spring to 15 innings over five starts.

"Things have gone well so far," Halladay said. "I certainly expect to have to battle a little more as the season unfolds."

He's scheduled to make one more start before his regular-season assignment March 31 in Toronto against the Yankees.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright