Sheets set to come off DL
Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets struck out nine, walked none and scattered three hits over 52/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sheets showed no ill effects from the strained back muscle that landed him on the disabled list March 24. He appears on track to rejoin the Brewers for this weekend’s series against the New York Mets.
The right-hander threw 75 pitches, 51 for strikes, and hit 94 mph on the radar gun. He also consistently spotted his curveball for strikes on both sides of the plate and earned the win as Nashville beat the Iowa Cubs 4-1.
The Brewers won’t have to use a fifth starter until Sunday in New York against the Mets. Sheets, who made four straight opening day starts for Milwaukee before this season, said he thinks it’s a “good possibility” he’ll make his 2006 debut that day at Shea Stadium.
Loria renews threat
Standing in the corner of the Florida Marlins’ clubhouse an hour before their home opener in Miami, owner Jeffrey Loria renewed his threat to move the team.
Loria said the Marlins will find another home if they’re unable to swing a deal soon for a new ballpark in South Florida.
“I’m basically an optimistic person,” said Loria. But some of that optimism disappeared in the last year.”
Red Sox lose outfielders
The Red Sox began the day with center fielder Coco Crisp wearing a splint on his injured finger. They ended it with right fielder Trot Nixon sidelined by a groin injury.
That leaves only one regular starter in Boston’s outfield – left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Martinez will find himself playing with backups Adam Stern, Wily Mo Pena and Dustan Mohr until Nixon, who expects to miss five to seven days, returns from a mild groin strain.
Crisp is expected to be out longer.
Four pitchers suspended
Four minor league pitchers were suspended 50 games each by the commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug program, the first penalties since the sport toughened its rules during the off-season.
Two of the pitchers were in the Cincinnati Reds’ organization: Ramon Ramirez and Justin Mallet. Also suspended were Waner Mateo of the New York Mets and Ryan Rafferty of the Kansas City Royals. None has pitched in the majors.
Clearing the bases
Roy Halladay will miss his next scheduled start for the Toronto Blue Jays because of a tender forearm. … Public-address announcer Bob Sheppard‘s distinctive voice was missing from the New York Yankees’ home opener for the first time since 1950 because of a hip injury. He will miss the three-game series against Kansas City and hopes to return April 21. … The Colorado Rockies placed reliever Mike DeJean on the 15-day disabled list with discomfort in his right shoulder.