KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros all-star first baseman Lance Berkman is scheduled to have minor surgery on his left knee today and will likely miss two to four weeks, a recovery period that could sideline him for opening day.
Berkman, 34, injured the knee during a baserunning drill at spring training March 1.
Astros general manager Ed Wade said the team is confident the injury won’t be a lingering problem.
“We certainly don’t encourage players to have surgery, but if this is an easy fix, it removes the uncertainty that it could occur again,” Wade said. “We think that once it gets addressed, that it’s a dead issue and we won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Peavy sharp in first start
TEMPE, Ariz. — White Sox starter Jake Peavy struck out three in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits in an efficient 38-pitch performance in a 10-7 victory over the Angels .
The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner for San Diego said the right ankle trouble that limited him last season is a thing of the past.
“I got some work in, nothing special, but I needed to get out there versus hitters and versus competition,” Peavy said. “I was able to get outs, that was about it. I’m trying to get the arm in shape.”
Chicago closer Bobby Jenks, on the other hand, doesn’t look so ready. He followed up a shaky inning against the Dodgers on March 6 — two earned runs, two hits, two walks — by getting clobbered for five runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Also, White Sox outfield prospect Jared Mitchell sprained his right ankle while making a spectacular, against-the-wall catch on a drive off the bat of Juan Rivera. Mitchell was carted off the field and taken to the hospital for X-rays.
“They say for now it’s a sprained ankle,” bench coach and acting manager Joey Cora said. “They don’t think it’s a break but they’re checking the ligaments.”
Shields gets nod in opener
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Rays right-hander James Shields said jokingly he’s already told his wife nothing is going to change his plans to be Tampa Bay’s opening day starting pitcher.
Not even the expected birth of the couple’s second daughter next month.
The Rays open the season at home against Baltimore on April 6 — four days before the baby’s due date.
“We’re going to play it by ear and kind of go with the flow, but I’m planning on making my start,” Shields said after manager Joe Maddon slated him for the assignment for a franchise- record third straight season.
Footnotes.
Braves right- hander Jair Jurrjens, who had been struggling with inflammation around his pitching shoulder, threw two scoreless innings against the Pirates before the game was called after three innings because of rain in Kissimmee, Fla.
• Reds left-hander Aroldis Chapman struck out two over two scoreless innings against the Dodgers, stretching his scoreless streak to four innings.
• Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera injured his left leg in a game against the Angels and will be evaluated more extensively today.
