Elbow injury may derail Anderson comeback

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Published March 13, 2008

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ST. PETERSBURG - LHP Brian Anderson's comeback from two Tommy John surgeries and three years away from the majors was one of the feel-good stories of camp.

Until Wednesday, when he walked off the mound three batters into the sixth inning after feeling something bad in his left elbow.

"All I know is something felt like it came loose," Anderson said. "You hope and pray it's scar tissue. If it's not, then there's nothing to even talk about. It'd be the bad one, and move on from then."

Anderson, 35, is to undergo an MRI exam today.

Said manager Joe Maddon: "I'm really concerned."

SHORT AT SHORT: With backup SS Ben Zobrist already out a month with a broken left thumb, potential replacement Andy Cannizaro is sidelined by a back problem that required a trip to the hospital for intravenous anti-inflammatories.

Maddon said Cannizaro could return to action Sunday. In the interim, minor-league 2B Elliot Johnson, who has impressed Maddon with his hard play, is getting some work at shortstop.

"I want to see what that looks like," Maddon said.

MISCELLANY: With their 7-6 win, the Rays improved to a majors-best 9-3; they won only 10 last spring and their record is 14. ... RHP Chris Mason, a bulldog-type reliever, was reassigned to the minors, reducing the camp total to 46. ... The Rays are working on a two-year extension to keep their Double-A team in Montgomery, Ala. ... Players from the 2007 Montgomery and Class A Columbus teams received their championship rings in a ceremony Wednesday morning. ... RHP Troy Percival had his third 1-2-3 spring inning.