The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Schafer stalled in comeback bid
Sore elbow has kept left-hander from pitching this spring.
Former Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer, who is trying to reinvent himself as a pitcher, will have surgery this week on his left elbow and could ultimately need a Tommy John operation. The 30-year-old Schafer, now with St. Louis, spent six seasons in the big leagues as a speedy outfielder with the Braves, Astros and Twins, but is trying his hand on the mound after his career appeared to have ended.
Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price is likely to start the season on the disabled list because of a sore elbow.
Starting the second season of a $217 million, seven-year contract, Price has not yet appeared in an exhibition game.
“I think at this point, yeah, it would be hard to see him ready to go at the start of the season,” manager John Farrell said Tuesday. “We really won’t have any kind of idea until he gets on the mound the first time and right now, I don’t know when that’s going to be.”
The AL East champions had hoped for a formidable rotation headed by Price, Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and Chris Sale, acquired in December from the White Sox.
Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, was 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA last year. He felt discomfort in his left elbow following a two-inning simulated game Feb. 28.
Doctors said Price would not need surgery or an injection but should take anti-inflammatory medication and rest his arm.
Rockies: Catcher Tom Murphy will miss four to six weeks with a hairline fracture in his right forearm. Murphy, who broke his arm Saturday against the Cubs when he was hit by Anthony Rizzo’s bat while throwing to second base on a steal attempt, is not expected to need surgery.
Reds: Pitcher Anthony DeSclafani is expected to begin the season on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. The right-hander, 26, missed the start of last season with a strained left oblique but returned to post a 9-5 record in 20 starts.
Cardinals: Pitcher Jordan Schafer will have surgery this week on his left elbow and may need a Tommy John operation. Schafer, 30, spent six seasons in the majors as an outfielder with the Braves, Astros and Twins but is trying to reinvent himself as a pitcher after his career appeared to have ended.
White Sox: Rookie outfielder Charlie Tilson will begin the season on the disabled list after an MRI reconfirmed he sustained a stress reaction in his right foot earlier this spring.
Cubs: NL MVP Kris Bryant says he was grateful the Cubs compensated him Friday with the largest contract ever given to a player not yet eligible for salary arbitration. “I felt like I earned it,” Bryant said of his $1.05 million contract for 2017. “I felt like just seeing where I fall with guys that were in my situation, I feel respected. It’s nice.” The major league minimum for 2017 is $535,000. Bryant earned $652,000 in 2016.
Astros: Newly elected Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell is in spring camp helping Cuban signee Yuli Gurriel learn how to play first base. Gurriel, 32, signed with Houston in July.
World Classic
Japan 8, Cuba 5: Tetsuto Yamada hit two home runs in Tokyo as Japan improved to 2-0 in Pool E and can advance to the WBC championship round in Los Angeles on March 20-22 with a win over Israel today.
Venezuela 4, Italy 3: Miguel Cabrera hit a tying homer, and Rougned Odor delivered a go-ahead single during a three-run rally in the ninth inning as Venezuela ousted Italy in Guadalajara, Mexico. Venezuela will face the United States in the Pool F opener for both teams tonight in San Diego.