Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton will be out for up to two months because of a sprained left elbow.
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said Friday that Eaton had an MRI that revealed a small tear in the fibers around the ulnar collateral ligament. Eaton had been bothered by a sore elbow for a couple of weeks and the Diamondbacks had recently given him a couple days off.
Towers said Eaton, expected to be Arizona’s starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, will be shut down for four weeks. The best-case scenario for his return would be in six weeks, but could be as long as two months.
The speedster was to play a major role in Arizona’s plans to change its offensive style, and his absence leaves the team thin in the outfield.
MLB SUES DOPING CLINIC
Major League Baseball filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Friday against Biogenesis, accusing the now defunct anti-aging clinic of having “knowingly, intentionally and maliciously interfered” with its player contracts by allegedly providing players with illegal performance-enhancing substances.
By going the lawsuit route, baseball officials hope to obtain documents that link active players to the agency, which could then lead to their suspensions. The Miami New Times, the first to link players to drugs from Biogenesis, recently denied baseball’s request to hand over its documented proof.
Alex Rodriguez and Francisco Cervelli of the Yankees, Gio Gonzalez of the Nationals, Ryan Braun of the Brewers and Melky Cabrera of the Blue Jays are among those who have been linked publicly to Biogenesis and its owner, Anthony Bosch. All of them have denied receiving performance-enhancing drugs.
SANDY HOOK FATHER TO OPEN RANGERS’ SEASON
The father of a 6-year-old girl who was among the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newton, Conn., will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Texas Rangers’ home opener April 5 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Robbie Parker’s daughter, Emilie, was among 20 first-graders and six adults killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings on Dec. 14.
Parker grew up in North Texas and took Emilie to several Rangers games in Arlington, Seattle and Boston.
EXTRA BASES
As expected, Mets left-hander Johan Santana will start the season on the disabled list while he works to strengthen his pitching shoulder. ... The Twins put left-hander Scott Diamond on the 15-day disabled list as he continues his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow. ... The Nationals signed left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. ... In 20 innings this spring, Red Sox left-hander and Bellarmine Prep grad, Jon Lester has allowed just two runs for a 0.90 ERA, striking out 16. ... Padres right-hander Casey Kelly needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the upcoming season. ... The Reds decided to keep left-hander Aroldis Chapman as their closer instead of moving him into the starting rotation. ... Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, who is slated to start on opening day, was scratched from a split-squad start against the Rangers due to back spasms.
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