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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 24, 2003
CLEARWATER -- Randy Wolf is the Phillies' rain man.
If it's his turn to go to the mound, there's almost always a chance of showers.
Such was the scenario again Sunday at Jack Russell Stadium, where the left-hander went just 12/3 innings before his outing against the Red Sox was washed away by a driving rain.
"I think I was born under an Indian burial ground," Wolf said.
That might be a funny line, but Wolf's spring has been no laughing matter.
He took a 9.20 ERA into Sunday's start and said he was embarrassed after giving up six first-inning runs to the Yankees in his previous outing.
Between starts, Wolf worked on his mechanics in an attempt to improve his ability to locate his fastball.
Though he gave up a first-inning home run to Bill Mueller and a double to Nomar Garciaparra, Wolf said he believes he made progress.
"I felt like some positive things happened in that first inning," he said. "My mechanics were a lot better, and my location was better, too."
Perhaps his most impressive encounter of the afternoon came with two outs in the top of the first during an 11-pitch at-bat by Red Sox first baseman Shea Hillenbrand.
It ended with Hillenbrand fouling out to catcher Todd Pratt.
"That was a good thing for me because I was able to make some good pitches to him even after he kept fighting off some pitches," Wolf said.
Wolf faced four batters in the second and gave up an unearned run.
After the game was called, he went into the batting cages and pitched three simulated innings to his teammates.
Manager Larry Bowa said it was difficult to evaluate Wolf's performance.
"To be honest, I just thought it was awful out there," he said. "This was a nonstart for me. The elements were terrible."
Wolf has one start left before his scheduled season debut April 2 against Florida.
Bowa said he would like his No. 2 starter to go five or six innings in his final spring start Friday against the Yankees.
Wolf has not gone more than four innings this spring.
WENDELL RETURNS: Reliever Turk Wendell returned Sunday after missing four days while tending to a personal matter at home in Colorado.
Wendell sustained a setback in his bid to return from elbow surgery last week but got some good news from team physician Michael Ciccotti.
"He sees it as a bump in the road," Wendell said. "I'll just play it day by day, and he said if it acts up again or remains irritated, I should get an MRI."
Wendell will open the season on the disabled list.
Yankees pitcher David Wells didn't join teammates for a Sports Illustrated photo shoot this weekend because he's angry over an article in the magazine three years ago.
The session Saturday, featuring the Yankees' starting rotation and owner George Steinbrenner, is intended for this week's cover.
"It was nothing to do with the team, players or anything like that," Wells said. "It was a Sports Illustrated issue. It was a personal decision. I've had problems with them."
"I don't do anything for them, ever. I asked them not to even put me in the magazine. I don't want my name in that. If it was any other magazine, I would have done it. If it makes me look bad, oh well, it won't be the first time."
DISCIPLINE: Rightfielder Raul Mondesi was fined for returning late from a trip home to the Dominican Republic last week.
Mondesi had permission to fly home after Wednesday's game. He was scheduled to return in time for Saturday's game but missed his flight.
The amount of the fine wasn't disclosed.
INJURIES: Designated hitter Nick Johnson (sprained left thumb) hit off a tee. He could resume batting practice Tuesday. His status for the season opener is unclear.
Manager Joe Torre said Johnson must play in some games this week in order to break camp with the team Saturday.