Baseball

Cubs closer to be out first month of season

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs closer Antonio Alfonseca will miss the first month of the season after injuring a hamstring.

Alfonseca has a moderate-to-severe strain of his right hamstring, sustained Tuesday when he slipped and fell while fielding a ground ball off the bat of Seattle's Randy Winn.

"Nobody can predict whether it's the first week of May or the second," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "But it looks like it's going to be probably at least five, six weeks before he can be in a game."

The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Alfonseca in a six-player trade with the Marlins at the end of spring training last year after then-closer Tom Gordon was injured.

Alfonseca saved 19 games in 28 chances for the Cubs last year, going 2-5 with a 4.00 ERA. His best year came with the Marlins in 2000, when he led the National League with 45 saves.

Alfonseca battled illness earlier this spring and had made just three appearances, allowing three hits in 22/3 shutout innings.

"Obviously, you don't like to lose Antonio," Hendry said. "I think we would all agree that he was throwing awfully well."

With Alfonseca out, the Cubs likely will use several relievers to close. Dave Veres has 94 saves. Left-hander Mike Remlinger has 16 and Mark Guthrie 14.

Right-hander Rod Beck also is in camp on a minor-league contract. Beck has 266 saves, but he is coming off reconstructive elbow surgery that forced him to miss the 2002 season.

Also, starting pitcher Kerry Wood threw a simulated game, making 88 pitches in six innings against mostly minor-leaguers. He has been bothered by an inner-ear infection and sinus problems and has not pitched in a game since March 10.

ANGELS: Shortstop Alfredo Amezaga left after being hit on the left forearm by a pitch, but X-rays showed no break.

DODGERS: Closer Eric Gagne pitched a perfect sixth in his first appearance since getting hit in the right calf by a hit ball Monday. He has pitched only three innings this spring because of minor injuries.

Also, billionaire Eli Broad confirmed his interest in being part of a group buying the team. The 69-year-old is the first Los Angeles person to publicly acknowledge his intention to join a group headed by New York sports executive David Checketts.

EXPOS: Ace Javier Vasquez left after the third because of soreness in his right leg. Manager Frank Robinson said he would be fine but took him out as a precaution.

Also Major League Baseball officials will examine the potential impact on the Orioles of a move to Washington. Groups from Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia are trying to lure the team. The Orioles' ballpark is 40 miles from downtown Washington.

The group from Northern Virginia told a baseball committee its region has "big differences" with the District of Columbia. But Gabe Paul Jr., executive director of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, did not divulge details about the proposal.

MARLINS: Third baseman Mike Lowell (stiff lower back) is scheduled to start today for the first time since March 6.

METS: Catcher Mike Piazza had the players' association appeal his five-game suspension, a move that likely makes him available for the season opener.

Because of the appeal, no discipline can be imposed until after a hearing before Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

"Because of the schedules of the participants in the hearing, it's already clear that it can't be before opening day," said Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official.

Piazza charged the mound March 12 after he was hit by a pitch from the Dodgers' Guillermo Mota. Piazza later went into the Dodgers' clubhouse in search of Mota.

Also, the Queens district attorney's office won't file charges in the case involving pitcher Grant Roberts and a former girlfriend who released a photograph of him smoking marijuana.

ORIOLES: Third baseman Tony Batista went 2-for-3 to raise his average to .448.

PADRES: Outfielder Mark Quinn agreed to a minor-league deal. He was limited to 23 games last season with Kansas after he broke a rib and tore his left hamstring.

PIRATES: Northeast High graduate Jeff D'Amico made the roster as a No. 5 starter. D'Amico has been on the disabled list five times in the past six seasons and has had two elbow and two shoulder operations.

The Pirates were obligated to tell D'Amico by Friday if he would be on the roster. If not, they were obligated to release him so he could try to catch on with another club.

Former Marlins starter Julian Tavarez and right-hander Salomon Torres were moved to the bullpen.

RANGERS: Shortstop Alex Rodriguez, recovering from a herniated small disc in his neck, took part in limited drills. He ran, fielded grounders and hit off a tee, but it isn't known when he'll be able to play in a game.

Also, Ismael Valdes will start the opener. Chan Ho Park is the No. 2 starter, and John Thomson will be No. 3.

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