Times wires
Saturday, March 19, 2011
TAMPA — Yankees RH reliever Joba Chamberlain appears ready to pitch again.
He had a 31-pitch bullpen session Saturday after being sidelined last week by left-side muscle soreness on his upper body. He's expected to pitch in a game within the next few days.
"Everything was good," Chamberlain said. "My delivery, probably, felt better than it has in a while."
The Yankees' two left-handed relievers also are overcoming injuries.
Pedro Feliciano, who was out with left upper arm soreness, had a 15-pitch mound session Saturday. He's expected to have a longer bullpen session in a few days.
"I'll be ready," Feliciano said of opening day. "I'll be there."
Boone Logan was slowed by a sore back but is on the travel roster for today's road game against the Phillies.
"Right now, we still fully expect everyone to be ready for opening day," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.
ROCKY START: RHP Freddy Garcia gave up five runs and five hits over six innings in the 5-5, 10-inning game with the Blue Jays. Garcia is competing with RHPs Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Sergio Mitre for two open starting spots. Cashman said the decision will come "sooner than later."
Jays: Reliever ailing
TAMPA— Blue Jays RH reliever Frank Francisco was scratched from a minor-league appearance today because of ongoing discomfort in his right pectoral muscle.
Manager John Farrell said Francisco still felt some felt discomfort during a bullpen session. An MRI exam on Friday showed no structural problems.
"We're hopeful that opening day is still a possibility," Farrell said. "We've got to continue to evaluate him day to day. When he gets on the angle of the mound, that's where he feels it."
RHP Octavio Dotel, who was out with a hamstring injury, had a mound session. His status will be re-evaluated today.
"Decreased symptoms in the hamstring," Farrell said. "He still showed very good arm strength, so there's no restriction for how he's letting the ball go."
HILL IMPROVING: Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (strained right thigh) played in the field and went 1-for-4 in a minor-league game.
Phillies: Hamels wild
SARASOTA — Phillies LHP Cole Hamels had another rough outing, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 32/3 innings in a 7-5 win over the Orioles.
Hamels, who has a 6.23 ERA this spring, said he's still struggling with his fastball command.
"Even though you get to build up your pitches, it would be nice to be able to have those quick, easy innings," he said. "I don't think I'm allowing myself to do that because I'm not getting first-pitch strikes, or when I get first-pitch strikes, then all of a sudden I throw three balls in a row. I'm not putting myself in a really good count."