Times wires
Thursday, February 24, 2011
JUPITER — Cardinals pitching ace Adam Wainwright will have ligament replacement surgery (a.k.a. Tommy John surgery) on his right elbow and miss the season, the team said Thursday.
"It's not a real surprise to us but certainly a disappointment," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We certainly believe we still have a strong starting rotation. Now we're going to have to look to try to fill it in terms of a fifth spot."
Wainwright, who won 20 games last year and was runnerup for the National League Cy Young Award, felt stiffness after Monday's session. He experienced soreness last season (he didn't pitch in September) and had minor issues in 1998 and 2004. "That's a big guy to miss," fellow starter Kyle Lohse said. "We still have to go out there and play. Nobody is going to feel sorry for us."
Cabrera arrives
LAKELAND — Tigers star first baseman Miguel Cabrera made his first appearance at spring training since last week's arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. He said he will undergo treatment set up by doctors administered by team management and the players union.
Cabrera, set to be arraigned March 16, refused to say he is an alcoholic. He said what happened was out of the ordinary and he had been working on his treatment in Detroit and his native Venezuela.
"I have it under control," he said. "It was just a bad decision. I plan to continue with treatment. I made a mistake this time, and all I can do is continue treatment."
General manager Dave Dombrowski said it is up to manager Jim Leyland when Cabrera makes his debut.
Dodgers: Right-hander Vicente Padilla had surgery on his right arm to free a nerve trapped by a muscle. The projected reliever faces three to four weeks of rehabilitation. There is no timetable for his return.
Mariners: Centerfielder Franklin Gutierrez returned to Seattle for tests on his stomach. The issue caused him to lose weight last season, and he has been bothered on and off this week.
Nationals: Manager Jim Riggleman said Bryce Harper, June's top overall draft pick, will make his spring debut Monday against the Mets. Harper, 18, who is moving from catcher to the outfield, is expected to get at least one at-bat.
Orioles: Second baseman Brian Roberts missed a second day of workouts because of a stiff neck. X-rays were negative, and he said he hoped to return today.
Rangers: Starting pitcher Omar Beltre had surgery for a narrow spine. Assistant general manager Thad Levine said it "went as well as could be expected" but the righty is at least six weeks from resuming baseball activities.
Rockies: Right-hander Aaron Cook will miss his first scheduled start of the spring due to tightness in his right shoulder and a stomach ailment. There is no timetable for his debut.
