Sports News

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Cliff Lee's eventful first spring with the Seattle Mariners continued on Friday when the lefty ace was diagnosed with a lower right abdominal strain that will cost him at least a week of spring training.

Lee was examined in Seattle on Friday by team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan. Lee underwent an ultrasound and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection. The team said he would be re-evaluated in seven days.

"We are hoping for a speedy recovery and look forward to him returning," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement.

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NEW YORK (AP) Tweaking the postseason schedule. Eliminating the link between the All-Star game and World Series. Adding replay for fair-or-foul calls down the lines.

Oh, and a message to the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers: Hurry up! Read More...

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street received encouraging news when the MRI on his ailing right shoulder revealed no structural damage.

The MRI was done Wednesday after Street felt tightness in his shoulder. He felt fine after throwing 25 pitches Monday in a simulated game but felt tightness in the shoulder while playing catch Tuesday and underwent the MRI the following day. Read More...

LOS ANGELES (AP) Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully was released from the hospital Friday after bumping his head, and is looking forward to broadcasting a Dodgers exhibition game this weekend.

The 82-year-old Scully went to the hospital Thursday night as a precaution after he got up from bed too quickly, fell and hit his head, team spokesman Josh Rawitch said. Read More...

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Alex Rodriguez hit a long solo homer, CC Sabathia allowed two runs in 5 1-3 innings and the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 6-2 in a split-squad game on Friday.

Rodriguez hit his first homer, a towering drive over the scoreboard in left in the third off Rick Porcello, who was charged with four runs - one earned - and four hits over three innings. Read More...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Johan Santana's outing against his former team elicited fond memories if not a positive result.

Santana lasted 3 1-3 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs in the News York Mets' 7-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Read More...

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Josh Beckett pitched 3 1-3 innings after missing his last start because of an illness, allowing four runs on six hits as the Boston Red Sox lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-7 on Friday.

Beckett, who walked two and struck out one, was slated to pitch Sunday against the Minnesota Twins but was a late scratch. Read More...

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) Albert Pujols hit his first home run of the spring, but right-hander Chris Carpenter was pounded for seven runs Friday in the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-6 loss to the Florida Marlins.

Carpenter gave up six runs on seven hits in the first inning. He threw 21 of his 29 pitches in the first inning for strikes, and the Marlins didn't miss. Eleven batters came to the plate, with Chris Coghlan singling twice in the inning. Read More...

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Brian Anderson went 5 for 5 with seven RBIs and hit for the cycle in the Kansas City Royals' 24-9 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Anderson, a Tucson native, hit a two-run triple in the first inning, a double in the second, a two-run single in the third, and a two-run homer in the fourth. He doubled in the fifth. Read More...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) Durable left-hander J.P. Howell might not be ready to open the regular season with the Tampa Bay Rays because of a weak shoulder.

Howell has won more games in relief than any other pitcher over the last two seasons, but he has yet to pitch this spring. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that fitness tests taken in February revealed a lack of strength in Howell's shoulder. Read More...