Thumb injury may sideline Sheffield for three months
By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published March 9, 2004
TAMPA - First it was Bernie Williams' appendix. Now it's Gary Sheffield's thumb.
Less than a week into spring training, the Yankees are breaking down.
An MRI exam Sunday revealed Sheffield has a torn ligament in his right thumb, Newsday reported, and the rightfielder likely will have surgery to repair the damage. That worst-case scenario would keep the Tampa native out for two to three months, general manager Brian Cashman said Monday.
The Yankees thought the injury was a bruise. But after the MRI, the team decided to send him to Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, a hand expert in New York.
"Now we're officially worried about it," Cashman said.
Sheffield could try to play through the pain, but the Yankees probably will advise him to go through with the surgery and try to return at full strength, Newsday reported.
THEN THERE'S BERNIE: Williams, who remains optimistic he'll return for the March 30 opener in Tokyo against the Devil Rays, jogged and played catch during his first on-field workout since his appendix was removed Feb. 26.
LIEBER HEALING: Right-hander Jon Lieber (injured right groin) threw 33 pitches during a six-minute batting practice session.
Injury shouldn't force Thome to miss season opener
CLEARWATER - The medical update on first baseman Jim Thome's fractured right middle finger couldn't have been better.
Within two weeks, the Phillies' No. 3 hitter and reigning NL home run champ could be taking batting practice. A week later, he could be seeing game action. And barring a setback, Thome should be ready to play the season opener April 5 at Pittsburgh.
"I'm very relieved," Thome said Monday in a teleconference from Philadelphia, where his finger was examined by Dr. Randall Culp, a hand specialist. "I'm excited to hopefully play on opening day, because (Sunday) I was a little concerned about the uncertainty."
Culp determined Thome doesn't need a pin surgically inserted, which would have pushed the healing time to six to eight weeks.
Closer Billy Wagner, the other Phillies star with an injured middle finger, made progress by throwing off a mound for the first time since Feb. 24.
Wagner mixed fastballs and sliders in his 40-pitch session and had no problems. Barring a setback, he plans to do the same Wednesday, pitch to hitters Friday and get into his first game next week.
"I'm ahead of where I was," Wagner said during the Phillies' 5-3 loss to a Red Sox split squad. "The arm strength is there; now I just have to get into pitching shape."
UTLEY'S ON FIRST: Second baseman Chase Utley, after three days of working out at a new position, will start at first base for the first time today when the Phillies host the Twins. "It's a big adjustment because the ground balls are a little different and you have to go to a bag every time one is hit," Utley said. "I'm not too worried about it."
- RANDY MILLER
Tweaked forearm to slow centerfielder Wells a few days
DUNEDIN - The first spring training injury is a minor one.
Centerfielder Vernon Wells strained his left forearm in his final at-bat Sunday and sat out Monday's 6-4 win against the Pirates.
"It's not like it's near a joint or anything, and he had it checked out, so he'll be getting treatment on it," manager Carlos Tosca said. "It will be a couple of days before he gets back in (a game)."
Wells waved off questions about the injury: "It's minor, it's nothing."
Left-hander Ted Lilly, who arrived with a strained left wrist, should be ready to throw a side session in the next three or four days, Tosca said.
ADAMS LETS LOOSE: Reliever Terry Adams threw his first batting practice. "I was extremely impressed," Tosca said. "His fastball had great life and he threw a nice hard slider. He'll take two days off and then get in a game." Adams is coming off minor offseason elbow surgery to clean up some bone chips.
THAT LAST SPOT: Tosca said the 25th and final roster spot likely will come down to injuries. "If everyone is stretched out, I don't know how we could get that 12th pitcher any work," he said. "At least I'm hoping we wouldn't get that 12th guy work."
