Good News For Garciaparra
Nomar Garciaparra and the Boston Red Sox got good news Tuesday the star shortstop has tendinitis, but no ligament damage, in his ailing right elbow.
Garciaparra, runnerup for the AL MVP award, could resume playing this week as a designated hitter and is expected to be in the opening-day lineup April 5 at Kansas City, the team said.
The preliminary report on Garciaparra's condition followed an MRI and examination on Monday by Dr. Tony Daly, the physician for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Garciaparra also was examined Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum, orthopedist and team physician for the Anaheim Angels. The 1997 AL rookie of the year was expected back at Boston's spring training camp on Wednesday.
Garciaparra, 25, hit .323 with 35 homers last season and led Boston with 122 RBIs. He became Boston's primary power threat after Mo Vaughn signed as a free agent with Anaheim.
The shortstop sought the opinions of Daly and Yocum after complaining of a sharp pain in the elbow of his throwing arm. He hasn't played shortstop in any of the last 11 Red Sox games.
Garciaparra apparently hurt his elbow while making a relay throw against Toronto.
Red Sox team physician Arthur Pappas had diagnosed the problem as a strain in a forearm ligament, and tendinitis or soreness in the biceps muscle.
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