New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter fielded easy grounders for the first time Saturday in Tampa, increasing the on-field part of his rehabilitation program for a dislocated left shoulder.
Positioned on the grass in front of the infield dirt, Jeter took 55 ground balls.
He’s still not allowed to catch the ball during throwing sessions, but Jeter made 60 tosses for the second straight day.
Jeter is expected to be out at least another three weeks. The five-time All-Star was injured in a collision with Toronto catcher Ken Huckaby in the Yankees’ season opener March 31.
Daal to stay in Orioles’ rotation
No matter what happens to Baltimore’s Omar Daal on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, he apparently will remain in the rotation and take his next turn when the teams meet again at Tropicana Field on Friday.
Manager Mike Hargrove indicated that Daal would receive his fifth start on schedule, even if he continues to struggle.
The left-hander is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in three games. In his last appearance, Daal retired the first nine batters before the Cleveland Indians jumped him for seven runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Toronto 2 at Boston 7
W: Lowe (3-1)
L: Sturtze (2-1)
Trot Nixon and Todd Walker drove in 2 runs each in a 5-run 3rd inning as Red Sox won 6th straight. Blue Jays have lost nine of 10. Entering as AL’s worst fielding team, they committed 3 errors.
Tampa Bay 8 at Baltimore 7
W: Sosa (1-1)
L: Lopez (0-3)
Jorge Sosa allowed 3 hits in 5 innings to become the first Devil Rays starting pitcher to win a game this season. Tampa Bay starters hadn’t recorded a victory in the first 16 games.
Detroit 2 at Kansas City 9
W: Lopez (3-0)
L: Knotts (0-2)
Royals’ 13-3 start is best in club history after 16 games. They are 7-0 at Kauffman Stadium, last undefeated team at home in majors. Desi Relaford homered during a 5-run 3rd inning.
Texas 2 at Oakland 12
W: Mulder (2-1)
L: Valdes (2-2)
Ramon Hernandez extended his hitting streak to 9 games with single in 5th for A’s. Rangers’ Alex Rodriguez struck out 3 times. He was hit by a pitch in 8th that led to a warning to both benches.
N.Y. Yankees 4 at Minnesota 2
W: Pettitte (3-0)
L: Mays (2-2)
S: Acevedo (3)
Andy Pettitte pitched 7 1/3 innings to run the rotation’s record to 12-0–longest season-opening streak in the last 50 years. Yankees are off to a franchise-best 14-3 start.
Seattle 6 at Anaheim 7
W: F. Rodriguez (2-1)
L: Sasaki (1-1)
Angels rallied for three runs in the ninth inning on RBI singles by David Eckstein and Tim Salmon and an error by Seattle third baseman Mark McLemore that allowed the winning run.
