PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners are shutting Cliff Lee down for five days in hopes his strained abdomen heals, making it likely the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner will begin his debut season in Seattle on the disabled list.
Manager Don Wakamatsu said Friday that the team’s medical staff decided the 31-year-old left-hander will do no more throwing until at least Wednesday.
Kinsler questionable for season opener
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler had targeted a Monday return from a high right ankle sprain, but now it appears questionable whether he will be ready when the Rangers open the regular season April 5.
Kinsler, who rolled his ankle in a March 12 workout, received an anti-inflammatory injection. An MRI also revealed a bone bruise on the tip of the tibia. Joaquin Arias would probably begin the season at second if Kinsler is placed on the disabled list.
Oswalt leaves with hamstring strain
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros ace Roy Oswalt was headed to Houston to be examined by a team doctor after the right- hander left his start against the Pirates with a slight left hamstring strain.
Oswalt allowed one run and three hits in four innings before he was pulled as a precaution. He struck out six and walked none.
“I just want to get him checked,” general manager Ed Wade said. “Head colds concern me. Allergies concern me this time of spring training.”
Footnotes.
Twins closer Joe Nathan had season-ending Tommy John surgery in which doctors removed a tendon from his left wrist and placed it in his right elbow to replace the ulnar collateral ligament that was torn in an exhibition game March 6.
• Giants ace Tim Lincecum left his start with a small cut on the middle finger of his pitching hand in San Francisco’s 5-3 win over the Angels in Scottsdale, Ariz. The right-hander remains on track to start the season opener at Houston on April 5.
• Yankees third baseman Alex Rodri- guez’s meeting with federal investigators probing a Canadian doctor was delayed.
• Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzelanny beat out Jeff Samardzija and Sean Marshall for the final two spots in the Cubs’ rotation.
• Rookie sensation Jason Heyward will open the season as Atlanta’s regular right fielder.
