Times wires
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
JUPITER — Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright is getting a second opinion on his injured right elbow, which the team fears will require reconstructive surgery.
Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Wednesday night that results of MRI exams and other tests were being studied by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. The team anticipated a news conference this afternoon.
Wainwright, 29, the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award last year, was sent back to St. Louis on Wednesday for tests and consultation with team physician George Paletta. Earlier, general manager John Mozeliak said "things do not look encouraging" for Wainwright, who injured his elbow while throwing batting practice Monday.
Mozeliak stopped short of saying Wainwright would need season-ending surgery.
"I don't want to speculate, but obviously ligament damage, that's usually what it results in," he said.
MAUER UNCONCERNED: Twins catcher Joe Mauer downplayed questions about his left knee, saying lubricating shots are part of a recovery plan after offseason surgery. But he was dismayed manager Ron Gardenhire discussed the shots with the media.
"It's more of a preventative thing, just to make sure I'm good to go for the season," Mauer said. "So it's really not that big of a deal, and I kind of wish it wasn't out there. But here we are."
In other Twins news, Gardenhire named right-hander Carl Pavano his opening day starter.
UMPS LEAVING: Umpires Mike Reilly and Chuck Meriwether are retiring, joining Tierra Verde resident Jerry Crawford, whose retirement was previously reported by the St. Petersburg Times. Reilly, 61, had been on the major-league staff since 1983 and Meriwether, 54, since 1993.
YOUNG TAKING BREAK: Veteran infielder Michael Young is leaving Rangers camp in Surprise, Ariz., to attend to unspecified "family matters." He is scheduled to return Saturday.
VETERAN RETIRES: Infielder Mark Grudzielanek, 40, announced his retirement after 15 years. Playing for six teams, Grudzielanek finished with 2,040 hits and was an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner.
BREWERS: Third baseman Mat Gamel, 25, will miss at least a week after straining his right oblique during batting practice. … Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, 24, broke his right pinkie and will see a doctor for evaluation.
DODGERS: Right-hander Vicente Padilla, 33, is scheduled to have surgery on his right elbow today and could be out anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
ORIOLES: Second baseman Brian Roberts had X-rays on a neck he said was merely stiff. Roberts, 33, appeared in 59 games last season because of injuries.
TIGERS: Second baseman Carlos Guillen, 35, who had a season-ending left knee injury in mid August, was sore after Tuesday's workout but said he expects to be ready for Friday's spring opener.
