Outfielders in the news

The early days of spring training are a time when every team feels like a contender – well, maybe not the Pirates and Royals.
Also, every injured player is optimistic that he’ll be able to play by Opening Day or, for anyone with an injury less serious than Tommy John surgery or an amputated limb, that he’ll be ready by the All-Star break.
That includes OFs Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano and Torii Hunter, all of whom can be difference-makers for their team. That’s true, except that even Beltran at his best at bat and in center field might not be able to make a difference in the Mets.
Beltran isn’t expected back until early May. He’s five weeks removed from surgery to remove fragments of bone and cartilage from his right knee.
Soriano spent the winter in the Dominican Republic rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cubs’ left fielder said he isn’t yet running at full speed but added that he should be 100 per cent by Opening Day. Naturally.
Hunter could be the biggest difference-maker. He’s coming back from arthroscopic surgery to repair a sports hernia that curtailed his best season – a .299 average, 22 homers and 90 RBI. He’ll also bring nine Gold Gloves to center field for the Angels.
Another outfielder, Johnny Damon, wasn’t hurt but was in limbo until he and the Tigers officially agreed today on a one-year, $8-million contract to be their left fielder or DH.
Injury updates:
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge, coming back from elbow and knee surgeries, threw 20 pitches off a mound. He said he doesn’t feel he can be ready for Opening Day. Philadelphia fans hope that at least before the All-Star break he will no longer be giving up damaging homers. LHP J.C. Romero, who also had elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., where it rained for the third consecutive day, new 3B Mark DeRosa arrived a day early for his first batting practice, in a cage, following off-season surgery on his left wrist. 2B Freddy Sanchez, returning from left shoulder and left knee injuries, hasn’t yet hit but he has played catch and done some agility drills and running.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan, a big surprise last season, is just two weeks removed from arthroscopic surgery to repair an inflamed tendon in his right wrist. Of course, he said he expected to be rady for Opening Day. Helping his quest could be the fact that St. Louis’ first game isn’t until the season’s second day, April 5 at Cincinnati.
The saddest story is that of Khalil Greene. He was trying to return to the majors this year with the Rangers, but they have announced that he won’t join them at spring training or play for the team this season. Apparently, the anxiety problems that plagued him last season have returned.
For openers:
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got on the early bandwagon of naming an Opening Day starter. LHP Mark Buehrle would start his Sox-record eighth opener – breaking a tie with Billy Pierce, an all-but-forgotten ace lefty from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Guillen chose Buehrle over RHP Jake Peavy, who would start the second game.
In another pitching announcement, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said LHP Mike Gonzalez would be Baltimore’s closer.
Gossip:
Getting even as far tonight as “Chelsea Lately,” a show with little sports IQ, is the rumor that Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hooked up with Cameron Diaz in Miami while they were there for the Super Bowl. There also have been Madonna sightings in A-Rod’s vicinity recently.