Rays/MLB

Floyd creates happy dilemma

By Times Staff
Published March 28, 2006

CLEARWATER - Pitcher Gavin Floyd is making it tough on the Phillies to go through with their plans.

After struggling badly last season, Floyd had been ticketed for Triple A. But after a slow start this spring, the right-hander, 23, tweaked his mechanics, regained his confidence and began pitching like a top prospect again.

Floyd made it three gems in a row Monday by holding the Indians to one run in six innings in a 5-1 Phillies victory. He allowed four hits, struck out one and didn't walk a batter in improving to 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six Grapefruit League games, three starts.

"Right now, (Floyd) should feel good about himself because he's throwing real well," manager Charlie Manuel said.

Asked about Floyd's future, Manuel said, "I like the way he's pitching."

Floyd is prepared for anything.

"Last year, I probably worried about what I'm going to be doing," said Floyd, who was 1-2 with a 10.04 ERA in seven games for the Phillies and 6-9 with a 6.16 ERA in 24 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. "This year, I've been working start-to-start and let things happen. I just worry about what I have to do."

-RANDY MILLER,

Rotation still in flux

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Two rotation candidates are hurting, and the Yankees need to see how they come through this week before deciding who pitches after opening-day starter Randy Johnson and presumed No.2 Mike Mussina .

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang has a bruised right knee from a hard one-hopper Sunday and right-hander Jaret Wright has not pitched since March 18 because of back spasms.

Manager Joe Torre said Wang could miss Friday's start at Arizona but is still under consideration for the rotation. Through the team, Wang said his knee is improved, and the Yankees said he still has some swelling but good range of motion.

Wright had been scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Tigers but, after a long side session, was pushed back to Thursday in a minor-league game.

RECOVERING: Right-hander Carl Pavano (sore back) is scheduled to pitch an inning tonight, which would be his first game action since Aug.3. Pavano could pitch again as soon as Thursday, Torre said. ... Catcher Jorge Posada , who broke his nose Wednesday, may be the DH tonight.

-ED PRICE, Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger

Burnett set to take mound

DUNEDIN - Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett threw long toss Monday and is expected to have a bullpen session today or Wednesday, the first time he'll have thrown off a mound since March 18. If all goes well, Burnett is likely to start Saturday against Triple-A Syracuse.

Burnett took himself out of that March 18 game when he felt right elbow pain. An MRI exam showed that Burnett felt scar tissue breaking up. There was no structural damage.

Burnett is expected to go on the disabled list this week and miss one regular-season start.

DOG DAY MORNING: Third baseman Troy Glaus returned to camp and brightened up the clubhouse when he brought in his two dogs, a black lab and a French bulldog. Glaus was absent the past two days after the horse ridden by his wife, Ann , broke its leg in an equestrian event in Georgia.

"She's only had that horse for a month, but it was our top horse," Glaus said.

He said his wife received some scrapes on her face when she fell.

[Last modified March 28, 2006, 03:01:29]