By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published March 1, 2004
TAMPA - Yankees pitcher Jon Lieber hopes to resume working off a mound Wednesday.
Lieber, who missed all of last season, hasn't had a bullpen session since Feb. 23, when his right groin tightened eight minutes into a 12-minute workout.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said Sunday it's too early to be concerned about Lieber's regular-season status.
"If he's not throwing off the mound by 10 days, we have a problem," Torre said. "Hopefully that's not the case. "As long as he's able to throw, I think our biggest problem is getting him enough action against hitters when he does come back," Torre added.
The Yankees currently have five starters: Lieber, Mike Mussina, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras. If Lieber isn't ready, potential replacements include rookie Jorge De Paula and nonroster invitee Donovan Osborne.
GOING THE LONG DISTANCE: Contreras' relatives in Cuba are helping him prepare for the season with daily phone calls.
"Their advice and encouragement has helped me relax," Contreras said through an interpreter.
Contreras, a former star pitcher on Cuba's national team, defected in 2002. Nicaragua twice has granted Contreras' family visas, but the Cuban government denied permission for his relatives to leave the country.
He joked that maybe Yankees owner George Steinbrenner might help him get a new contract "to help pay the phone bill."
INFIELD WATCH: Third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter took extra infield together on a back field after the regular workout.
- TIMES WIRES
Wagner feels swelling
CLEARWATER - Phillies closer Billy Wagner tentatively is scheduled to resume throwing today after being inactive for five days with a sore left middle finger. Chances are the veteran left-hander will rest a few more days.
"I don't know," Wagner said after practice Sunday. "I feel a lot better, but it's still stiff and there's still some swelling. If it's still sore (today), I probably won't throw. It has gotten a whole lot better, but I don't want to lose more time if there's a little irritation. I don't want to feel anything."
Wagner, who has been running and participating in pitchers' fielding practice the past few days, is itching to get back on the mound.
"It's going to drive me crazy if I miss more time, but I know that it's better for me and this team if I'm healthy," he said.
Wagner joked that he does have a backup plan. Before breaking his arm twice as a child, he threw right-handed.
"I've been working on that," he said. "If all else fails, I'll just go out and throw right-handed and trick 'em."
TIME TO WORK: Besides hitting, throwing and fielding, the Phillies have been spending quality time on fundamentals. "We've got to get our work done running the bases, cutoffs and relays, sacrifice bunts, hit-and-runs, all of them," manager Larry Bowa said. "That's what wins games. We've got to execute. You don't get three-run homers every night." ... The Phillies will have a short day today and wrap up practice around 12:30 because of their annual golf tournament. The team will play an intrasquad game Tuesday at Bright House Networks Field.
- RANDY MILLER
Bordick gone, not forgotten
DUNEDIN - Mike Bordick hasn't worn a Blue Jays uniform in five months, but his legacy lives on.
The respected infielder was a major topic of conversation despite being in Maryland, where he is happily retired.
"I think the impact Mike had on this ballclub isn't gone just because he's not here," manager Carlos Tosca said. "I think he gave (the Blue Jays players) a true understanding of what it means to be a true professional."
The fact that he was able to make such an impact in just one season was not surprising to Tosca.
There are very few Mike Bordicks walking around," he said. "It's a tribute to him and his joy and love for the game - you kind of get infected with it. The two biggest things I'm hoping our players got from him are No.1 - his routine and preparation and No.2 - he kept the game a game."
JUST WATCHING: The Blue Jays regulars got their first look at the 2004 Roy Halladay model in batting practice and came away impressed. "He's filthy," Eric Hinske said after stepping in against Halladay. "We weren't even swinging. We were pretty much just taking."
MORE FOR PHELPS: Josh Phelps' workload in 2003 was reduced because of back problems and a red-hot Greg Myers, who would move to designated hitter from his catcher's role when Tom Wilson started behind the plate to keep his bat in the lineup. Frank Catalanotto also made 21 starts as the team's DH. According to GM J.P. Ricciardi, Phelps should expect more work this season. "He's our everyday designated hitter. He's deserving of 500-600 at-bats," Ricciardi said.
