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Area camps roundup

By MARK DIDTLER and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 4, 2001

Shoulder bothers Jeter

TAMPA -- Shortstop Derek Jeter had an eventful Saturday. He addressed his conversation with friend and Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez from Friday night, then found out his plans to resume throwing and hitting were put on hold.

After New York's 8-7 win in 11 innings over the Kansas City Royals, manager Joe Torre said Jeter would have his ailing shoulder examined by doctors today.

"I'm concerned, but not worried," Torre said. "If it was the regular season, he'd be in the lineup."

Torre did not rule out a cortisone shot.

As for his talk with Rodriguez, who in a magazine interview said Jeter has never had to lead his team, Jeter said the matter is closed.

"I gave him the benefit of doubt. Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk with him and it's over with," Jeter said.

HILL HOMERS TWICE: Glenallen Hill hit two long homers, including the winner in the 11th, against the Royals.

New York, which trailed 6-0 after five innings, had five home runs. Nick Johnson hit a two-run shot in his first game back after missing last season because of a hand injury.

NOTES: Orlando Hernandez is scheduled to start today against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. ... Sid Fernandez is scheduled to appear in his first game since 1997 on Monday. David Justice (double hernia surgery) also is scheduled to debut Monday. -- MARK DIDTLER

The battle for No. 2

DUNEDIN -- One of first-year manager Buck Martinez's goals is to find somebody to hit behind leadoff batter Shannon Stewart and ahead of No. 3 hitter Raul Mondesi.

Vying for that spot are shortstop Alex Gonzalez, second baseman Homer Bush and outfielder Jose Cruz, perhaps the most interesting choice.

While Bush and Gonzalez are primarily get-on-base men, who tend to hit a lot of doubles, Cruz would add power to the second slot. Gonzalez and Bush combined to hit 16 home runs last year. Cruz had 31.

"All three can be a force," Martinez said. "Think of the options if Cruz is the guy. We'd have a switch-hitter hitting in front of Mondesi. I want to see what Junior does in this situation but it's not a test for him. If any of them go up there and alter their swings, I won't be happy."

In Saturday's win over Philadelphia, Cruz batted second, going 1-for-3 with a run scored. Bush led off and was 0-for-2 with a walk. Gonzalez hit ninth and was 0-for-3.

MORANDINI THROWS: Infielder Mickey Morandini played catch from about 35 feet for 25 minutes as he continues to battle a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He plans to widen the distance to about 65 feet today for the same amount of time. Morandini endured pain through the first week of camp and an MRI Tuesday revealed the tear. He took a cortisone shot Wednesday and said the shoulder feels better.

GAME TIME: Carlos Delgado took two swings in his only two at-bats and hit a two-run home run each time. Delgado staked the Blue Jays to a 5-3 lead but Philadelphia took the lead in the sixth on Pat Burrell's three-run homer. Toronto went ahead for good in the eighth, claiming a 7-6 win.

UP NEXT: The Blue Jays travel to Winter Haven today to play the Indians at 1:05. Esteban Loaiza is scheduled to start against Cleveland's Chuck Finley.

Wolf gets in two innings

DUNEDIN -- One thing that defined Randy Wolf's first full major-league season was a four- or five-start stretch in which he battled fatigue during August. Saturday the Jays didn't give Wolf the chance to get tired.

The left-hander, who led the team in wins, starts, innings and walks and was second in strikeouts last season, pitched a quick two innings against Toronto. He mixed fastballs with curves and sliders and allowed two runs on one hit, struck one out and walked one.

"They were swinging at everything," Wolf said.

Wolf made two mistakes. The first was a walk Cruz. The second was a high fastball that Carlos Delgado ripped over the leftfield fence for a two-run home run in the first inning.

He struck out Tony Batista looking and retired the Blue Jays in order in the second.

UP NEXT: The Phillies host the Detroit Tigers at 1:05. Bruce Chen is scheduled to start.

- MIKE READLING

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