Baseball

Clemens waits out rain, gets work in

BRADENTON -- Roger Clemens ignored a one-hour delay during the third inning to pitch into the fifth Friday.

Managers usually wouldn't think of bringing back a top pitcher during a spring game. But Clemens didn't want to leave after only two-plus innings.

"I came here to work," Clemens said. I felt fine, and I was able to get some great work in. All in all, I felt great."

Clemens allowed five runs and seven hits in 41/3 innings in a 6-4 loss. He is expected to make his final spring start in a minor-league game Wednesday.

TRADE TALK: General manager Brian Cashman is trying to trade pitcher Sterling Hitchcock, one of seven starters on the roster. Scouts from Colorado, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal and Texas watched him pitch Thursday.

INJURIES: Reliever Steve Karsay, who received a cortisone shot Tuesday for bursitis in his right shoulder, reported no problems throwing off flat ground. When he threw off a mound, he felt some discomfort around the area he got the shot.

Designated hitter Nick Johnson is out until next week because of a sprained left thumb. He was jammed by a pitch Wednesday.

Millwood to work today

SARASOTA -- Fans can get a free glimpse of Phillies ace Kevin Millwood today by going to the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater.

Millwood was scheduled to make his final extended start of spring training Friday against Cincinnati, but it was rained out. He instead will throw 80-90 pitches in a minor-league game.

He'll make his final start of the spring on three days' rest Wednesday against Toronto. He said that's not a problem because he plans to throw only 40-45 pitches.

McGRAW RELEASED: Tug McGraw was released from the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, three days after he had surgery to remove a brain tumor.

UNSETTLED ROTATION: The final spot in the starting rotation remains unsettled. Thursday, Joe Roa allowed one hit in five scoreless innings against Toronto, but he still might be the odd man out.

Right-hander Brett Myers starts today against Boston in Fort Myers. Should he continue to struggle, it could open the door for Roa. Myers is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

Right-hander Brandon Duckworth might open the season on the disabled list. Duckworth, out since March 9 with mild elbow tendinitis, was scheduled to pitch one inning today. But the Phillies will sit him until he is examined today.

Linton remains hot

DUNEDIN -- Doug Linton allowed one hit in four innings with three strikeouts in Toronto's 4-3 loss to Minnesota. In his past three appearances, Linton has allowed three runs in 10 innings.

"Because of the way our starters are shaping up, he will fill a bullpen spot," Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said.

DELGADO INJURY: First baseman Carlos Delgado was scheduled to have his right knee examined Friday.

"We're just making sure that anything isn't going on that we aren't aware of," Tosca said. "It's the scar tissue acting up. It's nothing major, but we will give him a couple of days to let it settle down."

Delgado had minor offseason knee surgery.

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