Pettitte falls on stairs and sprains his ankle

By wire services
Published March 13, 2005

WINTER HAVEN - Andy Pettitte was scratched from his scheduled start against the Indians on Saturday because of a sprained right ankle. Houston manager Phil Garner said the 32-year-old left-hander sprained his ankle when he fell down some stairs at his apartment on Friday.

"He's feeling pretty good today and it is not as swollen as we thought it would be," Garner said.

Pettitte tested the ankle in a brief session Saturday morning.

"He probably could have gone a little longer, but we didn't want to push it," Garner said. "We'll give him another bullpen session on Tuesday and maybe pitch him in a game later in the week."

Pettitte is trying to rebound from an injury-plagued 2004 season that included three trips to the disabled list because of elbow problems.

BRAVES: Tim Hudson became the first starter to give up a run this spring, allowing a homer to Carlos Pena in a 4-3 loss to the Tigers, ending a streak of 21 scoreless innings.

BREWERS: Outfielder Carlos Lee was hit by a pitch in the first inning and left immediately. Lee, acquired in a Dec. 13 trade that sent Scott Podsednik to the White Sox, was hit on the left hand by a pitch from Rockies starter Jamey Wright. X-rays were negative.

CUBS: The team plans to install a plastic barrier underneath Wrigley Field's lower grandstand to guard against falling concrete at the 90-year-old stadium. It is also planning to replace the protective netting installed last year under the ballpark's upper deck, according to documents filed with the city on Friday. The netting was installed after chunks of concrete fell onto the seating area below.

GIANTS: Barry Bonds backed off from rehabilitation on his surgically repaired right knee, skipping batting practice for the first time in six days and doing no work on the field.

MARINERS: Miguel Olivo will be the team's primary catcher, supplanting longtime starter Dan Wilson. New manager Mike Hargrove said he expects the 26-year-old Olivo will catch at least 110 games. "He's a strong guy," Hargrove said. "He should be able to do that." Wilson, 35 on March 25, has been the team's top catcher for the past 11 seasons. He will back up Olivo, catching one or two times a week, Hargrove said. The 6-foot, 220-pound Olivo came to Seattle June 27 with outfield prospect Jeremy Reed in a trade that sent right-hander Freddy Garcia and catcher Ben Davis to the White Sox. Garcia was the Mariners' No. 1 starter. The 23-year-old Reed, a rookie, will get a chance to be the team's starting centerfielder.

RANGERS: Closer Francisco Cordero, who has been limited by a sore right shoulder, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday. ... No. 1 starter Kenny Rogers pitched in an intrasquad game. He faced 14 minor-leagues, striking out six of the first 10 he faced.

ROYALS: Closer Jeremy Affeldt left with a strained left groin. He faced only two Giants.

[Last modified March 13, 2005, 00:23:15]