Nomar To Miss Opener



From the AP's Jimmy Golen :

Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will probably not be ready for opening day because of inflammation in his right Achilles' tendon.



(Nomar, displeased that the Red Sox chose not to honor St. Patrick's Day with matching undershirts or sweat-bands)

"I think it's more unlikely as time goes on," team doctor Bill Morgan said Saturday. "We wouldn't rule it out, though."

Garciaparra was injured three weeks ago when he was hit in the right heel by a ball during batting practice. He has not played since March 17, going hitless in eight at-bats in four games this spring.

Garciaparra took about 20 swings in the batting cage before Saturday's game against Philadelphia, then took about 20 grounders at shortstop. He said he was not thinking far enough ahead to consider whether he will miss the opener.

"I'm definitely going to be out a few more days. I'm still optimistic, though," he said. "We're trying to knock it out now so it doesn't come back."

Manager Terry Francona said Garciaparra would not play in the April 4 opener against Baltimore if he were unable to first face live pitching. Asked whether Garciaparra could play an exhibition game in Atlanta on Friday, Morgan said, "He won't be playing Friday."

"We're probably talking about another week before Nomar will be back playing," Morgan said. "We're being very careful. If it were September, quite frankly, he would be playing."

Tests on Garciaparra's leg have shown no major damage. Morgan and Garciaparra both said there is no similarity to the wrist injury that required surgery on opening day in 2001 and hampered him for the next two seasons.

NY and Boston being post-season shoe-ins is dependent on their big guns staying healthy. A few more banged-up Bernies, gimpy Nomars or balls in the face for A-Rod, and maybe Toronto or Baltimore have something to play for.

OK, maybe not. But whose bat do you want in the lineup, Mark Bellhorn or Garciaparra? One week isn't gonna make or break the year, but that's assuming he's healed and 100% within a week.

Posted: Sat - March 27, 2004 at 07:02 PM      

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