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Spring Training notebook

By Times staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 28, 2001

Jeter, Posada taking things slowly

TAMPA -- The Yankees will be without shortstop Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada for at least the first few exhibition games.

One day after Jeter was scratched from an intra-squad game with right shoulder stiffness, Posada was limited to designated hitter duties Tuesday by the same problem.

"I really don't want to push it yet," Posada said. "By Saturday or Sunday, we'll see how it feels."

Jeter took ground balls Tuesday, but did not hit or throw.

"I think it will be Saturday at the earliest," manager Joe Torre said about when Jeter might see game action. "I haven't made up my mind."

Jeter expects to resume throwing and taking batting practice by late in the week.

"I would assume that," he said.

Team officials blame spring training throwing for the shoulder problems.

ODDS AND ENDS: Leftfielder Shane Spencer, who had knee surgery in July, did not work out Tuesday because of soreness. Torre indicated Spencer might stay behind when the team breaks camp next month. ... Closer Mariano Rivera (food poisoning) had his second batting practice session and should see game action this weekend. ... Backup infielder Luis Sojo (back) took part in pregame drills. ... Ted Lilly, mentioned as a candidate to be the fifth starter, allowed five runs and seven hits in one inning of Tuesday's intrasquad game.

-- MARK DIDTLER

Bowa working on his own opinions

CLEARWATER -- Larry Bowa is trying to get his players to believe in themselves. The new Phillies manager insists he believes in them, too, while admitting that this is an opinion that isn't shared by many outsiders.

"What are expectations supposed to be after you lost 97 games? If somebody said they thought we were going to win the division, I'd have to ask them what they were thinking," he said at the Carpenter Complex.

"But my expectations aren't the same as those people. My expectations are a lot higher than that. In fact, I've already written something down on a piece of paper. It's the number of games I think we'll win this year.

"I'm not going to say what it is. I wrote it down a couple weeks ago when I had a chance to look at some of the guys down here. I'll show it to the coaches when we break camp. And at the end of the year, I'll let everybody know how far off I was."

-- PAUL HAGEN

Martinez to Sirotka: 'Not so fast'

DUNEDIN -- Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez said the club has no intention of allowing injured left-hander Mike Sirotka to begin light throwing.

Sirotka said this week he was ready to begin a long-toss session Thursday to test his throwing shoulder, which has been diagnosed as having a torn labrum and a partially torn rotator cuff.

Martinez said Sirotka will have to be re-evaluated before he gets the green light to begin throwing. Martinez wasn't sure when that evaluation would take place.

"After he sees the doctor, then we'll take the next step," Martinez said.

CRISP FRYE: Martinez was particularly impressed with backup second baseman Jeff Frye during Tuesday's intrasquad game.

"He had the best at-bats," Martinez said. "He was very patient, didn't swing at the borderline pitches and he worked the count. He's a pro hitter."

-- TONY MARASCHIELLO

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