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By MARK DIDTLER, BRANT JAMES, Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2001
TAMPA -- Chuck Knoblauch's much anticipated debut in the outfield could come today in a minor-league game.
Knoblauch worked out for the second day in a row at the minor-league complex with coach Lee Mazzilli. After the workout, Knoblauch played designated hitter in a Triple-A game, going 2-for-5.
Knoblauch said his sessions with Mazzilli were "good," and manager Joe Torre said the second baseman "seems more comfortable" in his new position.
"His confidence is going up," Mazzilli said. "He feels good about the switch right now."
The Yankees are considering moving Knoblauch to the outfield because of his persistent throwing problems in the past two seasons. This spring Knoblauch has committed six errors, five on throws to first base.
HENSON'S BACK: The Yankees completed the trade that put third baseman Drew Henson back in pinstripes. New York sent outfielder Wily Pena to the Reds for Henson and outfielder Michael Coleman.
Henson, whom the Yankees drafted in 1998 and traded to the Reds last season, worked out at the minor-league complex and was expected to head to Ann Arbor, Mich., today to begin football practice with the Michigan, where he plays quarterback.
"Our intent is to convince him to play baseball," general manager Brian Cashman said. "That's been our intent since when we drafted him. That has not changed. There is no guarantee we'll be able to do so. There is a risk here, one we're willing to pursue."
Cashman said he may have to draft a contract that allows Henson to play football this fall.
ETC: Expected Opening Day starter Roger Clemens was scheduled to start today at home against Toronto's Chris Michalak. Dwight Gooden also was expected to pitch. ... Cashman said outfielder Shane Spencer (right knee) likely will start the season on the disabled list. ... Pitcher Orlando Hernandez (right forearm) threw off flat ground and could pitch off a mound Friday. ... Shortstop Derek Jeter (quadriceps) should return to the lineup Saturday.
-- MARK DIDTLER
CLEARWATER -- Paul Byrd is throwing without pain for the first time he can remember. The former All-Star now has to convince the team he still can get batters out.
Byrd, who had season-ending shoulder surgery in August, threw two innings for Double-A Reading at the Phillies' minor-league complex. He allowed one run and two hits, struck out two and walked none. Twenty of Byrd's 25 pitches were strikes. The first was belted for a homer.
"The first pitch I threw right down the middle, and the guy hits a home run," Byrd said. "I said to Krukkie (Reading coach John Kruk), "Aren't guys supposed to take the first pitch, see what the guy's got?' He said, "They take it down here, they take it out of the park.' "
Manager Larry Bowa wants Byrd to spend a few more weeks working out in Florida. Byrd didn't mind the unseasonably chilly weather.
"I feel really good," he said. "I was praying for a way to show the Phillies I can pitch in cold weather. God made it cold today, and I was happy to go out and show them I can throw okay in this weather."
WEDNESDAY'S GAME: The offense was on early, but Boston came back for a 12-7 win in Fort Myers.
Philadelphia hit Boston's Frank Castillo hard early, taking a 1-0 lead on Scott Rolen's first inning sacrifice fly, and expanding that to 5-0 in the second inning on Rob Ducey's run-scoring single and a three-run homer by Marlon Anderson.
-- TIMES WIRES
DUNEDIN -- Manager Buck Martinez announced the first four members of his pitching rotation and named right-hander Esteban Loaiza the starter for the season opener against Texas on April 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Right-handers Steve Parris, Joey Hamilton and Chris Carpenter will work the April 3-5 series at Tropicana Field against the Rays. Martinez said "nobody has stepped up" to take the fifth spot, which will become more important once the Jays get into a normal schedule routine in May.
Michalak, a left-hander, (0-1, 6.75 ERA in the spring) and righty Roy Halladay (0-1, 9.53) are competing for the fifth spot.
Carpenter left the Jays' 13-6 loss to Houston on Wednesday with what team officials called a mild mid-back strain. Carpenter said he felt discomfort below a shoulder blade warming up in the bullpen. He left in the second inning after throwing 14 pitches and allowing a run on one hit and striking out two.
Carpenter is unlikely to throw again for a few days, but he said he expects to make his next scheduled start on Monday.
PROGRESS: Mike Sirotka continued rehabilitating his rotator cuff. He began an incremental throwing program with two sets of 24 pitches from 40 feet.
INJURIES: Catcher Darrin Fletcher missed a sixth straight day because of lower back stiffness. He hit off a tee. ... Left-handed pitcher Pedro Borbon had no lingering problems after being hit in the forehead Tuesday by the first pitch he threw to Kansas City's Dee Brown.
GONER: Outfielder Ryan Thompson hit his fourth homer of the spring, tying Carlos Delgado for the team lead, in the ninth off closer Billy Wagner.
TODAY: Loaiza was scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Rob Bell at 1:05 at Sarasota, and Michalak was scheduled to start against the Yankees' Roger Clemens at 7:15 at Legends Field.
-- BRANT JAMES