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Spring training roundup

Bring out the medics: Injuries rocking spring camps

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Posted: Tuesday March 23, 1999 12:11 AM

The Cardinals' Marcus Jensen slides safely home a moment before Orioles catcher Charles Johnson catches the ball. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- St. Louis Cardinals ace Matt Morris and New York Mets pitcher Paul Wilson found out Monday they will need reconstructive elbow surgery to repair torn ligaments, adding to a growing list of players who will miss the 1999 season.

Morris, a 24-year-old right-hander, was 7-5 with a team-leading 2.53 ERA last season, missing all but one start in the first half because of a shoulder surgery. He was bothered by arm stiffness this spring, threw two scoreless innings against Kansas City in his first start, then felt pain.

"Tough break for him and for us," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said in Jupiter, Fla. "You just don't replace a Matt Morris."

Wilson, the top pick in the 1994 amateur draft, hasn't pitched a major league game since reconstructive shoulder surgery in November 1996. He may need two years to recover.

"Obviously, it's very, very discouraging, as far as Paul has gone to come back from where he was," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said in Port St. Lucie, Fla. "It's just devastating for him."

Since the start of spring Atlanta first baseman Andres Galarraga (cancer in his back), Houston pitcher Moises Alou (torn knee ligament) and Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood (elbow ligament) have learned they will miss the season.

Braves closer Kerry Ligtenberg may also need season-ending elbow surgery, and Nomar Garciaparra, Boston's All-Star shortstop, hasn't been able to throw for nearly two weeks and is undergoing tests.

Florida Marlins prospect Mike Lowell was diagnosed with testicular cancer a few days before he was supposed to start workouts. Former major league pitcher Ken Robinson was killed in a car crash on Feb. 28, shortly before he was to report to Arizona's minor league camp.

In games:

Tigers 3, Rangers 2

Justin Thompson gave up two runs and six hits in five innings, and Juan Encarnacion had three hits, including a pair of doubles.

Phillies 6, Twins 4

Philadelphia's Chad Ogea pitched five shutout innings and Minnesota's Brad Radke threw six. Rico Brogna homered and had three hits for the Phillies. Chad Allen went 2-for-3 for the Twins, improving to 24-for-48 this spring.

Cardinals 12, Orioles 3

Darren Bragg had three hits, while Eli Marrero, Fernando Tatis and David Howard had two apiece. Marrero had three RBIs, and Mark McGwire, Pat Kelly and Willie McGee two apiece. Orioles starter Scott Erickson was pounded for nine runs, eight hits and three walks in 3 1-3 innings.

Dodgers 4, Royals 1

Chan Ho Park allowed one run and three hits in six innings, and Rick Wilkins hit his first homer of the spring.

Red Sox 1, Pirates 0

Tim Wakefield allowed one hit in five innings and five relievers finished a two-hit shutout. The only run scored on Mike Stanley's double play grounder in the fifth.

Marlins 14, Expos 10

John Roskos hit a tie-breaking grand slam off Ben Fleetham in the ninth. Michael Barrett homered twice for Montreal, including a ninth-inning drive off Aaron Cames that tied the score at 10.

White Sox 11, Mariners 9

Jim Parque allowed three runs and four hits in five innings. Darrin Jackson hit a bases-loaded triple in the seventh to put Chicago ahead 11-3.

Angels 8, Padres (ss) 5

Tim Belcher, hit hard in his first three spring outings, allowed five hits and three unearned runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Padres (ss) 7, Cubs 7, 10 innings

Mickey Morandini went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. John Vander Wal homered twice for the Padres, including a three-run shot in the first. Damian Jackson also homered for the Padres.

Brewers 3, Rockies 3, 11 innings

Chris Petersen hit a two-out, solo homer in the 11th inning. Milwaukee carried a 2-1 lead into the ninth but Colorado pinch-hitter Lenny Harris hit a two-out, RBI single off Chad Fox. Alex Andreopolous singled and scored on Ron Belliard's two-out double in the 11th off Steve Bourgeois.

Braves 11, Indians 2

Walt Weiss had four hits, scored three runs, drove in one and stole a base and Greg Maddux pitched five shutout innings.

Athletics 4, Giants 2

Tony Phillips hit a two-run homer off Felix Rodriguez in the bottom of the eighth inning and Ben grieve went 2-for-4 for Oakland.

 

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