Doctor: I treated A-Rod, never gave HGH (AP)
A sports doctor at the center of drug investigations in Canada and the United States said Monday he treated Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees slugger had hip surgery last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but not human growth hormone. Dr. Anthony Galea also told The Associated Press an assistant who was stopped at the U.S.-Canadian border in Buffalo, N.Y., last year was carrying only a…
Wang long-tosses in first Nats workout (AP)
Chien-Ming Wang is back with the Washington Nationals, but there’s no timetable for the right-hander’s return to the mound. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman says Wang’s health will determine when he pitches. Wang is recovering from right shoulder surgery. The 29-year-old pitcher played long toss with Jordan Zimmermann from about 120 feet for 20 minutes Monday morning.
K-Rod returns to Mets camp (AP)
All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez returned to New York Mets camp on Monday after being hampered by conjunctivitis for more than two weeks. Rodriguez had been told to stay away from the team until the pink eye cleared, but the contagious infection took longer than expected to improve. He was sick when he reported to New York’s spring facility, but it went undiagnosed until just before…
Selig: Too soon to decide on HGH test (AP)
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig says it’s too soon to determine whether a blood test for human growth hormone can be used for minor leaguers. The United Kingdom Anti-Doping authority announced a two-year ban on Feb. 23 for rugby player Terry Newton, saying he had tested positive and was the first athlete suspended for using HGH.
Pujols scratched with back discomfort (AP)
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols did not make the cross-state trip for Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox because of discomfort in his lower back. The three-time National League MVP did not play Sunday against the Florida Marlins — a scheduled day off — and is not expected to play against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, a game also being played in Fort Myers.
Marlins OF Maybin to miss a few games (AP)
Florida Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin learned a scary lesson over the weekend. Maybin said his strained left groin felt better Monday, but he’ll miss at least a few spring training games. He was hurt rounding third base while scoring from first on a double Sunday against St. Louis. “I was trying to hit another gear,” Maybin said.
Twins RHP Nathan to have elbow checked (AP)
Twins closer Joe Nathan is headed back to Minnesota to get his surgically repaired right elbow checked out. Nathan says he felt fine while he was working out before spring training games. But there was some soreness when he threw 20 pitches against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Nathan was expected to fly back to Minnesota on Sunday for tests.
Matsui’s Angels debut postponed (AP)
The Oakland Athletics at Los Angels Angels game has been rained out Sunday. About 50 Japanese media were in attendance to cover Hideki Matsui’s debut with the Angels. Matsui signed a one-year, $6 million free-agent contract after being named World Series MVP with the New York Yankees last season. Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters earlier in camp that Matsui would be treated carefully…
Royals 3B Gordon out 3-4 weeks (AP)
Royals third baseman Alex Gordon is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks with a broken right thumb. Manager Trey Hillman said Sunday that Gordon probably will miss Kansas City’s April 5 opener against Detroit, but the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft is optimistic about his chances of playing.
Cubs’ Guzman considering another surgery (AP)
Chicago Cubs reliever Angel Guzman is considering whether to have shoulder surgery even though he has been told the procedure won’t necessarily save his career. “It’s pretty sad, but what can I do? I’m still breathing,” the right-hander said Sunday, one day after learning he had a torn ligament that could sideline him for the season.