Surgery planned for Phils' Brown

Times wires
Sunday, March 6, 2011

CLEARWATER — The Phillies said rookie RF Domonic Brown is likely to have surgery on his broken right hand and will need three to six weeks to recover.

Brown, a former Pasco High standout, traveled to Philadelphia on Sunday and will be examined by specialist Dr. Randall Culp. He's expected to have surgery Tuesday.

Brown, 23, broke his nonthrowing hand Saturday on a swing. The Phillies' top prospect was trying to claim the starting job in right after Jayson Werth signed with the Nationals.

Brown had been struggling and was 1-for-16 this spring when he was hurt.

"He wasn't pressing; he just wasn't in a rhythm," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I talked to the kid, and he still felt very confident about things. He was just upset that he has the injury. Anybody would."

Ben Francisco appears likely to start in rightfield on opening day.

UTLEY UPDATE: Amaro said the team hopes to know within a day or two whether a cortisone shot on All-Star 2B Chase Utley's right knee alleviated the patellar tendinitis that has plagued him for weeks.

Jays: No payback

BRADENTON — Jose Bautista enjoyed his 3-for-3 day in the Blue Jays' 5-0 win over the Pirates.

That it came against his old team made little difference.

"I just had a good day," the third baseman said. "It's nice to start getting that rhythm back and put some good swings on some balls."

Bautista was traded to Toronto in August 2008 for backup C Robinzon Diaz. Last month he signed a five-year, $64 million contract extension after hitting 54 home runs in 2010.

Before that, he'd never hit more than 16 homers in a year (2006). He has also played for the Rays, Orioles and Royals, all during the 2004 season.

Bautista, 30, said there are no hard feelings toward the Pirates.

"If anything I'm happy because I don't know what my career would have been like if I stayed in Pittsburgh," Bautista said. "If anything I'm happy that I got traded away because I did receive that second opportunity that I was looking for."

Yanks: Power show

KISSIMMEE — Alex Rodriguez is showing something extra this spring.

Rodriguez hit his first homer of the exhibition season in the Yankees' 10-8 win over the Astros.

With girlfriend Cameron Diaz cheering from a seat near the Yankees dugout, Rodriguez kept his extra-base hit streak going: He has at least one in all five games he has played. This time, he hit a two-run drive over the centerfield wall off Jeff Fulchino in the fifth inning.

"Throw stats out the window at spring training, but overall I feel pretty good," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he has resumed his old training regimen in camp. "I feel stronger and more flexible. I'm getting my work in," he said.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/surgery-planned-for-phils-brown/1155693

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