SPORTS

Werth still rehabbing from shoulder surgery

ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the Cardinals' opener
  • Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders could be sidelined until around the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls

VIERA, Fla. – The Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth is back on the field, just not 100 percent yet.

Werth participated in outfield drills Thursday during the Nationals' first full-squad workout Thursday. But the left fielder was generally limited as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Still, the fact Werth was with his teammates instead of hanging out with the trainers spoke volumes for manager Matt Williams.

"We didn't force him to be out there," Williams said. "He did it on his own. That's a great sign for our team that he was out there, doing what he can and being with his teammates, imparting some knowledge to the young guys and being a part of it in that way until he can get back to playing status and go."

Werth had arthroscopic surgery on Jan. 9 to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder and was expected to miss 2-3 months. Earlier this spring, general manager Mike Rizzo expressed optimism Werth would be ready by opening day and on Thursday, Werth sounded cautiously optimistic, saying, "That's kind of my goal."

At the same time, Werth doesn't want to rush back before he's ready.

"We've really got to get to that eight week point before you can really ramp up anything, and then again, it's 8-12 weeks before you can really get back to normal activity," Werth said.

"We're getting there. We're progressing. It's getting better. But (we've) still got a ways to go."

Though there is no exact timetable, Williams said it would be likely Werth will start hitting before he starts throwing. Williams also noted the left fielder is a notoriously slow starter in spring, where he likes to see a lot of pitches early on.

Further complicating matters for the Nationals is that outfielder Nate McClouth, who would likely be Werth's replacement if he is not ready, is on a throwing program as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.

Whenever Werth is ready to go this season, he will be moving from right field to left in a position swap with Bryce Harper.

"Usually, you put the guy in left that you're trying to hide, so I get to go hide in left," Werth joked.

Given his age – he'll turn 36 on May 20 – and Harper's big arm, Werth wasn't surprised at the move and doesn't think it will be a hard transition since he has played in left before.

Werth, who signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Nationals in 2010, noted how much perception has changed about the organization from the time he signed until pitcher Max Scherzer's recent seven-year, $210 million deal.

Like Werth, Scherzer said he came to Washington because he wanted to win. The only difference is, this time, people seem to believe him.

"My signing was almost laughable, I think, publicly," Werth said. "People didn't understand it, or scrutinized (it) heavily. GMs in the same division (were) making comments.

"Now, here we are four years later, and we're getting guys like Max to sign here. We've got one of the, if not the best teams in the National League, if not MLB. Things are looking up. It seems like my decision for coming here was a pretty good decision."

With players like shortstop Ian Desmond, outfielder Denard Span and pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister looming as potential free agents after 2015, Werth also knows this could be the last run at a championship with their current core group of players.

"This is really the pinnacle of this team that I came in on," Werth said. "Going forward, I think it's going to be a little different. We've got a chance to be competitive for a long time, but with this group of guys, this might be it."

Murphy: No approach on deal: All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy said the New York Mets have not approached him about a long-term contract.

The 29-year-old agreed last month to an $8 million, one-year contract. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

Murphy made his first All-Star appearance last year, when he led the Mets in batting average (.289), hits (172), doubles (37) and runs (79).

He says "no extension talks right now" and adds "If that comes up, we'll kind of cross that bridge when we get there. But as of right now, I'm a Met for this year, for sure. I would love to be here in the future, but that is way in the distant future. I have too much anxiety today to worry about what happens in November."

Stanton faces first live pitches since beaning: Giancarlo Stanton saw his first live pitches since his beaning back in September. The Marlins will have to wait at least one more day to watch Stanton take his first swing.

While other members of his hitting group swung freely Thursday during the Miami's first live batting practice sessions of the spring, Stanton — wearing a traditional-style batting helmet — tracked all 10 pitches he saw, five from Henderson Alvarez and five from Brad Hand, into the catcher's mitt.

The 25-year-old Stanton says he didn't experience any anxiety stepping into the batter's box for the first time since a Mike Fiers fastball broke his orbital bone and damaged five teeth in September.

He says, "It was just like any other spring training."

Tanaka nears 1st BP session: New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw 40 pitches in his third bullpen session Thursday and could be ready to throw batting practice early next week.

Tanaka missed 2 1/2 months last season while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two starts in late September, and Boston chased him with an eight-run second inning in his final outing.

"I was throwing with more force than the last bullpen," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "As far as hitting the spots as location goes, I think it was better than the last bullpen as well. I feel that I'm on track. It gives me confidence that I'm moving in the right direction."

The Yankees are considering whether to give rotation pitchers an extra day between starts occasionally by using a sixth starter, an idea Tanaka thinks is good.

"You get that extra day to recover, and that's definitely a plus for me," he said.

The Yankees expect Tanaka will be ready for opening day.

Wainwright has abdominal strain: Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the Cardinals' opener at Wrigley Field on April 5.

Wainwright strained the muscle on Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. General manager John Mozeliak said Thursday the strain is about belt high.

"Based on all the different studies and what the doctor saw he feels this was the best news we could have gotten," Mozeliak said.

Wainwright said the pain originally felt like a twinge when it first occurred and the injury bothered him when he ran or lunged but did not affect his pitching. He walked off a practice field Tuesday following the team's stretch, returned to St. Louis on Wednesday and was examined by Dr. Michael Brunt on Thursday.

Wainwright was expected back at spring training later Thursday. Mozeliak said Wainwright will avoid running and lifting for at least half a week but can throw.

Wainwright went 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA last year, then underwent offseason elbow surgery to remove cartilage from his throwing elbow. He began 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA and started the All-Star Game for the NL, then went 8-5 with a 3.24 ERA.

Saunders injures knee, likely out until July: Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders could be sidelined until around the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls and tearing cartilage in his left knee.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday the injury occurred a day earlier and is expected to require surgery. Saunders will seek a second opinion before making a decision.

Saunders, acquired from Seattle in a December trade and projected as a starter, said he felt a pop after stepping awkwardly on the sprinkler head while going after a ball at the team's training facility.

"I just tried to walk off the field and not draw any attention to myself. Then, when I got into the training room, my knee felt like it was getting tight on the inside," said Saunders, who was on crutches. "I've never had any issues with my knees, so that's when I knew that something was wrong."

Anthopoulos said the team will look internally for a replacement but is open to a trade or free-agent signing.

The 28-year-old Saunders was traded from the Mariners to Toronto for pitcher J.A. Happ. He hit .273 with eight homers and 34 RBIs in 78 games with the Mariners last season, when he made two trips to the disabled list because of shoulder and oblique injuries.