PITTSBURGH - Cubs right-hander Mark Prior plans to throw off a mound again today as he tries to recover from an Achilles' tendon injury and a sore right elbow.
"He felt excellent today, and that's what we're looking for," manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday. "We're looking for progression, no discomfort, no pain. The next day (after he throws) is usually what counts."
Prior threw 20 pitches off a mound Friday without pain, twice as many pitches as he threw two days earlier.
The Cubs aren't ready to set a definitive timetable for Prior's return (mid May has been mentioned), and he may stay at their spring complex in Mesa, Ariz., next week. They play a three-game series at Arizona starting Monday.
CANCER SCARE: Former Giants first baseman Andres Galarraga has been battling cancer since November, apparently the same non-Hodgkins lymphoma that sidelined him in 1999 when he was with the Braves and flared up again in 2002 when he was with the Expos, the Contra Costa Times reported.
"He's better now, he's much better," said Giants third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, a fellow Venezuelan. "I haven't heard anything negative. I heard he wants to come back during the All-Star break, but he doesn't want to play far from his family (in West Palm Beach)."
ALOMAR BREAKS HAND: Diamondbacks second baseman Roberto Alomar broke a bone in his right hand when he was hit by a pitch and was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time since 1998. Manager Bob Brenly said he expected Alomar to miss at least six to eight weeks.
ANGELS: Top pitching prospect Bobby Jenks was pulled from a Triple-A game in the second inning Monday with an elbow injury. The right-hander will be examined by team physician Lewis Yocum.
ASTROS: Left-hander Andy Pettitte will skip his scheduled start Friday against Colorado to give his strained left elbow more time to heal. Pettitte, eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Thursday, is scheduled to pitch a simulated game at the spring facility in Kissimmee.
INDIANS: Rookie left-hander Jason Stanford went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained pitching forearm. Left-hander Jeriome Robertson, the NL's rookie leader in wins with Houston last season, was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
RANGERS: Right-hander Colby Lewis went on the 15-day disabled list with stiffness in his pitching shoulder. Left-hander Ryan Snare was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma, where he was 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 101/3 innings over two starts. ... Outfielder Brian Jordan joined Double-A Frisco for a rehabilitation assignment. Jordan has not played this season because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.
WHITE SOX: Shortstop Jose Valentin went on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled left hamstring. Juan Uribe is expected to play shortstop while Valentin is out.
YANKEES: Slumping third baseman Alex Rodriguez studied video of his recent at-bats with hitting coach Don Mattingly, concentrating on his good swings rather than his bad ones. Though his skid - he went 1-for-17 in Boston, dropping him to .160 - has been the talk of New York, Rodriguez appeared unfazed. "I never worry about it. I have a track record and my track record starts with hard work and my talent. I feel I have a special talent and I'm not really concerned about that," the reigning AL MVP said.
