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Around the Area Camps

By MARK DIDTLER, PAUL HAGEN and TONY MARASCHIELLO

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 27, 2001

TAMPA -- Shortstop Derek Jeter was scratched from Monday's intra-squad game by right shoulder stiffness and will be out until at least Friday.

"It's from throwing," Jeter said. "It's no big deal. I could have played."

No tests are planned. Jeter had an extensive physical this month before his $189-million, 10-year contract was finalized.

Jeter will not swing a bat or throw hard for a couple of days. He took batting practice and grounders but only lobbed the ball when throwing.

Manager Joe Torre did not rule out Jeter playing in an exhibition game Friday or Saturday. "There's nothing there that we're holding our breath about," Torre said.

DOC ON MOUND: Dwight Gooden is scheduled to start Thursday's spring opener at Dunedin against Toronto. Roger Clemens is set for Friday's home opener against the Blue Jays.

ETC.: Today's intrasquad game has been moved to 12:30 p.m. and will be six innings. ... Left-hander Sid Fernandez, 38, sailed through his first batting practice session and could make his first game appearance since 1997 soon. ... First-base prospect Nick Johnson (chicken pox) resumed workouts.

Injured pitchers to throw

CLEARWATER -- Left-hander Rheal Cormier and right-hander Paul Byrd have been cleared to throw off a mound today.

Cormier, who signed a three-year, $8.75-million free-agent contract in November, has not thrown off the mound because of a back spasm.

Byrd, who is coming off arthroscopic shoulder surgery in August, had a setback when pitching batting practice Thursday.

POOR CHOICES: First baseman/leftfielder Pat Burrell never has said he regretted giving an explicit interview to Penthouse magazine.

But Jeff Moorad did Monday during a brief stopover at the team's workout at the Carpenter Complex.

"Do I wish we hadn't done it? At this point, lessons learned," the agent said. "If we had to make the decision again, I think we'd pass."

Moorad's tone and body language, however, made it clear that he didn't think the incident was nearly as big a deal as some, including Phillies management, made it out to be.

"I was surprised (by the Phillies reaction) and we'll leave it at that," he said.

Sirotka to throw

DUNEDIN -- Injured Jays left-hander Mike Sirotka said he plans to start throwing again Thursday.

Sirotka, who has a partial tear in the labrum and rotator cuff of his pitching shoulder, hasn't thrown since an MRI last month discovered the damage.

Sirotka has been going through a vigorous rehab program at the Englebert Complex aimed at strengthening the muscles around the affected area. The throwing will consist of a 45-foot long-toss session on flat ground.

"I feel a lot stronger with my arm," Sirotka said. "Once I start throwing, then I'll get a better idea of how it's coming along."

Sirotka came to the Jays on Jan. 14 in a six-player trade that sent left-hander David Wells to the White Sox.

The Jays and the White Sox are embroiled in a dispute over Sirotka's injury that is in the hands of Major League Baseball. The commissioner's office has heard both sides and is expected to decide this week.

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