First baseman Mark Grace was a last-minute scratch from the lineup again Thursday because of continued soreness in his left shoulder.
Grace has yet to play in the field because a strained rotator cuff is hampering his throwing. He had been scheduled to play against the Oakland A’s but was replaced at the last minute by Eddie Zambrano. “He’s fine. It’s just a precaution,” manager Tom Trebelhorn said. “He’ll probably play (Friday).”
Grace has been able to swing a bat without pain and has appeared in four games as a designated hitter or pinch hitter. He pinch-hit for starter Mike Morgan in a 6-0 loss to the A’s and grounded out to lower his spring batting average to .111 (1 for 9).
Close call: Shortstop Shawon Dunston was hit on the left forearm by a pitch from non-roster right-hander John Wasdin in the sixth inning. Dunston suffered a bruise and is listed as day to day, but he did all his postgame running and stretching and seemed fine.
Stringbean: Right-hander Larry Luebbers had a tough day. First he allowed nine baserunners on six hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings to pick up the loss. Then he got hit on the right knee by a line drive off the bat of Brent Gates. Luebbers left the game, but said he felt fine. “It hit some muscle. I don’t know how the ball managed to find any muscle on this body,” said Luebbers, who is a lanky 6-6, 205 pounds.
Scratched: Outfielder Glenallen Hill will miss a few games after tests revealed weakness in both of his hamstrings.
