W-OLF
03-18-2006, 11:35 PM
3B Bell May Miss Opener With Back Injury
Published: 3/18/06, 4:06 PM EDT
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Phillies third baseman David Bell is out indefinitely with back spasms and might miss the start of the season.
The 33-year-old infielder hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game this spring. He called off plans to play in a minor league exhibition game Saturday.
He played four innings in a minor league exhibition game Thursday and went 2-for-4. However, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Bell experienced back spasms.
The setback makes it unlikely Bell could get enough at-bats to play in the April 3 opener against St. Louis. Before the latest setback, manager Charlie Manuel said Bell would need to play extensively and prove he was sharp enough to reclaim his starting job.
Bell hit .248 with 10 home runs and 61 RBIs in 150 games for the Phillies last season. If he begins the season on the disabled list, Abraham Nunez and Alex Gonzalez would compete at third base.
Nunez started 77 games at third base for St. Louis last season and hit .285; Gonzalez made 91 starts at third for Tampa Bay in 2005 and hit .269.
credit BellSouth
Published: 3/18/06, 4:06 PM EDT
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Phillies third baseman David Bell is out indefinitely with back spasms and might miss the start of the season.
The 33-year-old infielder hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game this spring. He called off plans to play in a minor league exhibition game Saturday.
He played four innings in a minor league exhibition game Thursday and went 2-for-4. However, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Bell experienced back spasms.
The setback makes it unlikely Bell could get enough at-bats to play in the April 3 opener against St. Louis. Before the latest setback, manager Charlie Manuel said Bell would need to play extensively and prove he was sharp enough to reclaim his starting job.
Bell hit .248 with 10 home runs and 61 RBIs in 150 games for the Phillies last season. If he begins the season on the disabled list, Abraham Nunez and Alex Gonzalez would compete at third base.
Nunez started 77 games at third base for St. Louis last season and hit .285; Gonzalez made 91 starts at third for Tampa Bay in 2005 and hit .269.
credit BellSouth