SARASOTA, Fla. — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts is returning to Baltimore to see a specialist for an ailing back that has kept him out of games this spring.
“I’m just going there to see a back doctor and just make sure we’re progressing in a way we need to be,” Roberts said Sunday “It’s gone a while.”
Boston farmhand to have brain surgery
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox minor-league outfielder Ryan Westmoreland will undergo brain surgery after being diagnosed with a cavernous malformation, which is a cluster of abnormal or dilated blood vessels that effects the central nervous system.
• Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka said he’s feeling better but is waiting to make a decision on when he’ll have his first throwing session of spring training.
Ankle injury will sideline Ankiel
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Royals outfielder Rick Ankiel will miss at least a week of spring training with a right ankle injury.
The Royals signed Ankiel as a free agent Jan. 25 to be the starting center fielder. He hit .214 in six exhibition games with a home run and four RBIs.
Footnotes.
Stephen Strasburg, the top overall pick in last year’s draft who signed a record $15.1 million contract, pitched three scoreless innings in the Nationals’ 7-3 loss to the Cardinals.
• Lance Berkman returned to the Astros’ camp a day after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
• Former major-league infielder Dallas McPherson was among the 10 players the Athletics reassigned to their minor-league camp.
The Associated Press
