Jays' Wells Has Back Spasms

For David Wells, his trade to Toronto is proving to be a
pain in the back.

The colorful left-hander was in the treatment room
instead of on the field Tuesday, bothered by back
spasms.

"Wells has some lower right back inflammation,"
Toronto trainer Tommy Craig said. "We're treating
him now, and he seems to be responding to the
treatment and exercises. We don't anticipate it
being a long and drawn-out thing. We're just going
to take it day to day right now, then ease him
back up to the on-the-field stuff."

Wells felt discomfort his first time Saturday but
finished his 11-minute pitching stint.

"I don't know if there is anyone who can put an
exact cause," Craig said. "It might be that his
pelvis twisted too far."

Wells, who pitched a perfect game for
the New York Yankees against Minnesota last
May, was acquired last month along with reliever Graeme Lloyd and second baseman Homer Bush
for five-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens.

Wells began his major league career with Toronto.

"He knows what he has to do to get ready," Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson said. "He's just stiff. I think he'll be fine."

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