Times wires
Sunday, March 13, 2011
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore walked off a back field at the Indians' training camp, sweating and wearing a big smile.
"I feel good," the three-time AL All-Star said Sunday after running the bases for the first time in 10 months.
It was the biggest step on the centerfielder's road to recovery from microfracture surgery on his left knee.
"I did everything, simulated game conditions," he said. "Home to first, first to third, second to home, leading off, tagging up. It all went well. I didn't feel slow. I haven't lost a step."
Manager Manny Acta is hopeful Sizemore, 28, will be in the lineup in April. Sizemore has not done much in training camp other than take batting practice, doing some agility drills and spending considerable time in the trainer's room.
SANTANA DENIES SETBACK: Mets left-hander Johan Santana denied that he was behind in his rehab from left shoulder surgery, accusing The Record of lying in a report that the team might alter or suspend his throwing program because of a lack of progress. "There's nothing new," he said. "We're keeping track of everything."
OBITUARY: Mitchell Page, a former outfielder and hitting coach, died Saturday at the age of 59. A cause of death was not released. Mr. Page played in the majors from 1977-84 and was the Cardinals' hitting coach from 2001-04. He was a roving minor-league hitting instructor for the Nationals at the time of his death.
ASTROS: Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was scratched from his start Tuesday after being diagnosed with mild tendinitis in his right shoulder.
BREWERS: Leftfielder Ryan Braun is expected to miss a week or so with a strain in his rib cage but said he isn't concerned. "It's nothing at all," Braun told mlb.com.
D'BACKS: Left-hander Zach Duke suffered two broken bones in his pitching hand when he was struck by a line drive Saturday and won't be able to throw for at least a month.
DODGERS: Third baseman Casey Blake is expected to be sidelined for a few days because of an injury to a muscle near the back of his rib cage.
MARLINS: Right-hander Javier Vazquez will skip his scheduled start today because of mild right elbow soreness but is expected to make his next start.
NATIONALS: Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang showed progress in a recent bullpen session but has no chance of making the opening day roster, manager Jim Riggleman told the Washington Post. Wang had shoulder surgery in mid 2009.
ORIOLES: Right-hander Justin Duchscherer was unable to throw a simulated game because of discomfort in his left hip, putting his place in the starting rotation in doubt.
TWINS: Closer Joe Nathan had his first poor outing in his comeback from right elbow surgery, giving up six runs while getting one out against the Phillies. The right-hander said his elbow felt fine.