Times wires
Friday, March 25, 2011
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Ailing Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, a Hernando High graduate, has been tested for a fungal infection in his lungs.
The right-hander has been sick for more than 10 days with flulike symptoms. He said Friday that he got blood tests and chest X-rays to see if he has valley fever, a fungal infection found in desert regions of the Southwest. The fungus is released from the soil and inhaled.
The disease is treated with rest and drugs.
"I'll be good to go for the season, whether the tests are positive or negative," Arroyo, 34, said. "If they're positive, I can get the right medication to knock it out."
Arroyo was scratched from a start March 21 because manager Dusty Baker was concerned about his health. Baker also pushed him back from second to third in the rotation for the regular season, giving him a little extra time to recuperate.
Arroyo threw during a minor-league game Thursday and felt better. He's going to push himself as hard as he can in his last spring training start and see what happens.
"My last start here on the 29th will be like the first game of the season," Arroyo said. "I'll go 100 percent."
More Reds: The team's rotation took another hit as right-hander Homer Bailey will open the season on the disabled list because of a shoulder problem. He needs to rest a week and then start a throwing program. If all goes well, he will miss only two starts. Right-hander Sam LeCure will take Bailey's spot in the rotation.
Indians: Right-hander Josh Tomlin beat out left-hander David Huff and right-hander Jeanmar Gomez for a rotation spot. Huff and Gomez were optioned to Triple A along with outfielder Ezequiel Carrera. Manager Manny Acta said outfielders Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan made the team, and that Jack Hannahan will open the season at third base.
Orioles: Right-hander Brad Bergesen was hit on the right forearm by a line drive in the first inning against the Twins and left the game after throwing only four pitches. X-rays were negative and the injury was determined to be a bruise.
Padres: Pitcher Mat Latos has a sore right shoulder and, though he says it has improved, he won't make his scheduled spring start today, which puts a potential opening-day start against St. Louis in jeopardy. He is being treated for an inflamed bursa sac.
Pirates: Left-hander Joe Beimel won't be ready for opening day, leaving the team without its main offseason bullpen acquisition. Beimel, 33, has been hampered by injuries to his forearm and elbow.
Rangers: Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who was supposed to be in the opening-day rotation, will be out at least six weeks with a strained right groin muscle.
Retirements: Mike Sweeney, a five-time All-Star in Kansas City, signed a one-day minor-league deal with the Royals and retired. Sweeney, 37, said he would remain with the team in some capacity to work with minor-leaguers. …Told that he would not make the Cubs' major-league roster, right-hander Braden Looper, 36, ended his comeback bid after missing last season and decided to retire.