By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published April 1, 2004
CLEARWATER - Jim Thome says his right middle finger, fractured in a fielding drill March 5, is getting better every day. He has been playing a lot, too, since given medical clearance to return 10 days ago.
But one important part of Thome's game is missing: He's still not throwing.
"He was told not to throw," manager Larry Bowa said before the Phillies lost 4-2 to the Twins on Wednesday. "It's a matter of fully healing. He's not 100 percent right now."
Thome played first base for the third time in four games, but he's permitted only to make soft tosses. He hasn't had problems swinging and hit a long homer in the sixth.
Thome thinks he'll be fine by Monday, when the Phillies begin the regular season at Pittsburgh.
MONEY BALL: A 2 p.m. Wednesday deadline came and went for the Phillies to guarantee outfielder Doug Glanville's $550,000 contract. Glanville will get his money but still is battling Ricky Ledee and Chase Utley for two spots on the bench.
PHILLERS: Third baseman David Bell went 2-for-3 with a double after missing a scheduled start Tuesday with a twinge in his right side. ... Outfielder Jason Michaels strained a hamstring running the bases but isn't in danger of starting the season on the disabled list.
- RANDY MILLER
Halladay kept out of harm's way
TAMPA - Roy Halladay was supposed to get his final spring tuneup Wednesday in Sarasota against the Reds.
The Jays, however, did not want their ace to bat and risk a freak accident. Instead, the right-hander pitched in Tampa in a minor-league game against Triple-A Columbus.
In eight shutout innings, Halladay threw 106 pitches, gave up four hits, walked two and struck out 10. Three hits were by rehabilitating Yankees centerfielder Bernie Williams.
SEES THE LIGHT: General manager J.P. Ricciardi said that based on what he has seen, Kerry Ligtenberg is the frontrunner for the closer role. Ligtenberg's best season in that capacity was 1998 with the Braves, when he saved 30. In his career the right-hander has 45 saves. Manager Carlos Tosca has said he'll use different pitchers in that role through the opening month.
ROSTER MOVES: The Jays claimed right-hander Sean Douglass on waivers from the Twins. In parts of three seasons with Baltimore, Douglass went 2-6 with a 6.61 ERA. The Jays also placed right-hander Bob File on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder lesion.
