Times wires
Thursday, March 24, 2011
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have outlined a plan for All-Star centerfielder Carlos Beltran to be ready by opening day, they said Thursday.
Beltran, 33, played 64 games in 2010 after offseason surgery on his right knee.
Because of tendinitis in his left knee — developed while compensating for his right — he has not played the outfield in a major-league game this spring. In Thursday's simulated game, he fielded balls in rightfield, hit and ran the bases. He will do the same today before playing a minor-league game Saturday.
General manager Sandy Alderson said there is no rush for Beltran to play a major-league game and his progression will be based on a day-by-day evaluation.
"Defensively, I feel very comfortable," Beltran said. "My main concern was being able to run the bases, stopping a run, things like that. Thank God I got that out of my head, and I am looking to do a little bit more the next couple days."
Bonds jurors hear technical testimony
SAN FRANCISCO — The jury for Barry Bonds' trial heard four hours of testimony from Larry Bowers of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. He described the whats, whys and hows of steroids, human growth hormone and changes they cause to the body.
Bonds is charged with lying when he told a grand jury in 2003 he didn't knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs.
Prosecutors allege Bonds' feet, hands and head grew due to use of HGH, and Bowers testified about scientific studies of HGH. Defense lawyer Allen Ruby tried to make the science sound like mumbo-jumbo.
"If someone abuses human growth hormone, how much does their head grow?" Ruby said. "Does it grow twice as big?"
Many times that Ruby asked a pointed question, Bowers answered there were too many variables to give a single answer.
"You know the difference between theories and proof?" Ruby asked sarcastically.
With no session today, the trial resumes Monday.
Top rookie stays a closer: Righty Neftali Feliz, who saved 40 games last year and was voted the American League's rookie of the year, will stay in the bullpen after getting a look as a starter. Texas said its rotation will be left-hander C.J. Wilson (the opening-day starter), Colby Lewis, Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland. However, Hunter left Thursday's outing with a strained right groin. His status hasn't been determined.
A's: Righty Trevor Cahill was named the opening-day starter. He went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA last season.
Braves: Righty Jair Jurrjens left after one inning of his start against the Blue Jays because of a cramp along his right ribs. He said he left as a precaution and should be able to make his next start. Also, righty Brandon Beachy was named the fifth starter, beating out fellow rookie Mike Minor and veteran Rodrigo Lopez.
Giants: Outfielder Cody Ross is expected to miss three weeks with a strained right calf sustained Wednesday while chasing a fly ball.
Marlins: Third baseman Matt Dominguez, a top prospects who was expected to make the team, was sent to the minors after hitting .190. Manger Edwin Rodriguez did not rule out a platoon between Emilio Bonifacio and Donnie Murphy. But Bonifacio also is a candidate to start in centerfield if Chris Coghlan is still nursing a sore shoulder. Also, rightfielder Mike Stanton hit two three-run homers and had seven RBIs against the Red Sox in his spring debut. He strained his right quad against the University of Miami on Feb. 27.