SEATTLE — Cliff Lee said he felt great after throwing 51 pitches in a simulated game Friday, punctuating the session with fist bumps and high-fives.
The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner remains on track to make his debut for the Mariners in two weeks. It was the left-hander’s first work against hitters since he strained his abdomen March 15.
“I feel as good as I feel in the middle of the season when things are going well,” he said. “I just have to build up the tolerance to throw 100 pitches or so.”
Also, left-hander Erik Bedard, out since August from shoulder surgery, threw a bullpen session and could be back before June.
A’s give Anderson $12.5 million deal
OAKLAND, Calif. — Left-hander Brett Anderson and the Athletics agreed to a $12.5 million, four-year contract that could be worth $31 million over six seasons.
Anderson, who went 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA as a rookie last season, receives a $1 million signing bonus and gets $500,000 this year, $1 million next year, $3 million in 2012 and $5.5 million in 2013. Oakland has options for $8 million in 2014 and $12 million in 2015. If either option is declined, he would get a $1.5 million buyout.
Footnotes.
Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was held out of the Nationals’ starting lineup for the fifth straight game because of a strained left hamstring.
• Cardinals cleanup hitter Matt Holliday is ill and was not in the lineup for the opening game of a three-game weekend series against the Mets.
• The Yankees placed reliever Chan Ho Park on the 15-day disabled list because of a mild hamstring injury and recalled Boone Logan from their Triple-A affiliate.
• Third baseman Nick Punto (groin) and relievers Pat Neshek (finger) and Jose Mijares (elbow) of the Twins are sidelined indefinitely because of injuries.
