Mark Prior to Have Shoulder Examined

Mark Prior to Have Shoulder Examined

Published: 3/15/06, 7:06 AM EDT

(AP) - Mark Prior is hurting again.

The Chicago Cubs right-hander will see a specialist in Los Angeles on Wednesday after cutting short a throwing session due to soreness in his right shoulder.

Prior was scheduled to pitch off the mound Tuesday, but he never got there. The shoulder flared up during long tossing, and he will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

"It wasn't getting loose, so we weren't going to try it," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said in Mesa, Ariz.

Prior's promising career has been held back by various injuries since he won 18 games in 2003. He's won 17 games the past two seasons, with substantial time on the disabled list.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee visited Yocum on Tuesday after he bruised his left shoulder diving to catch a foul ball during the United States' victory over Japan on Sunday at the World Baseball Classic.

In Tucson, Ariz., Arizona pitcher Orlando Hernandez had tightness in his neck and back, leaving after one inning in the Diamondbacks' 12-5 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Hernandez said he felt fine in the bullpen, but couldn't get loose after getting the mound in the first inning.

"It is early in spring training, so it is better to stop now," Hernandez said. "I think I will be ready for my next start."

White Sox leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik sat out again. He hasn't played since March 6 due to a sore left shoulder and had a second MRI exam taken Tuesday.

"We all probably needed a second look to see what exactly is going on, and now we will know and we will take the necessary steps," Podsednik said. "I am confident that what (team trainers) are telling me is on the money and they are not concerned, that it is not in the joint, it is outside the joint and we are dealing with muscle. That is positive news."

White Sox reliever Dustin Hermanson, who left Sunday's game after aggravating his lower back, had an epidural shot Tuesday. He has been scratched from his next two scheduled outings.

Giants 3, Rangers 2

At Scottdale, Ariz., Barry Bonds connected off John Danks for his second spring training homer and also had a sacrifice bunt - he's had just four during the regular season in his 20-year career.

Phillies 8, Twins 3

At Fort Myers, Fla., Ryan Howard hit his major league-leading eighth homer of the exhibition season. His solo homer in the second off Boof Bonser, was a drive just over the outstretched glove of center fielder Torii Hunter.

Reds 9, Red Sox 7

At Fort Myers, Fla., Edwin Encarnacion hit his sixth spring training homer. Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo gave up five runs in three innings, leaving him with a 17.55 ERA after three straight poor outings.

Cardinals 4, Yankees 3

At Tampa, Fla., Randy Johnson's cruised through four innings before tiring in the fifth, when he allowed a home run to Chris Duncan. St. Louis followed with three consecutive hits before Johnson retired Scott Rolen on an inning-ending, warning-track fly with the bases loaded.

Devil Rays 9, Blue Jays (ss) 1

At Dunedin, Fla., Delmon Young, Aubrey Huff and Russell Branyan homered, and Seth McClung pitched four shutout innings.

Blue Jays (ss) 11, Indians (ss) 5

At Winter Haven, Fla., Ryan Roberts hit a go-ahead, two-run homer and Mike Mahoney added a three-run shot in Toronto's seven-run ninth. Travis Hafner and Brandon Phillips hit homers for the Indians. Cleveland starter Jason Johnson pitched four shutout innings.

Tigers 14, Indians (ss) 10

At Lakeland, Fla., Ramon Santiago homered, tripled, doubled and drove in five runs. Ryan Mulhern hit two of Cleveland's homers. Tigers starter Kenny Rogers was roughed up for seven runs and nine hits in four innings

Marlins (ss) 2, Nationals (ss) 1

At Viera, Fla., Livan Hernandez pitched five shutout innings for Washington, and Marlon Byrd hit a solo homer. Florida tied the game on Brad McCann's RBI single in the eighth, then went ahead on Eric Reed's RBI double in the ninth.

Nationals (ss) 10, Marlins (ss) 3

At Jupiter, Fla., Joe Girardi got his first ejection as Florida Marlins manager out of the way - nearly three weeks before opening day. Girardi was tossed by plate umpire Angel Hernandez for arguing a fifth-inning balk call on reliever Taylor Tankersley that allowed Frank Diaz to score.

Mets 11, Orioles 4

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., rookie Brian Bannister - the son of former major leaguer Floyd Bannister - pitched four scoreless innings, and David Wright and Cliff Floyd each drove in three runs during a nine-run third for New York.

Padres 6, Athletics 5

At Peoria, Ariz., Ben Johnson and Eric Valent homered for San Diego during a five-run eighth. Rookie second baseman Josh Barfield continued his fine play for the Padres with a double in three at-bats and two nice defensive plays. Barfield, the son of former major leaguer Jesse Barfield, is hitting .524.

Rockies 9, Brewers 5

At Tucson, Ariz., Ian Stewart's fifth home run capped a four-run rally off loser Jason Kershner in the seventh inning and marked the third time the Rockies' left-handed hitter has connected off a lefty. It followed Danny Ardoin's two-run double that erased a 5-4 deficit.

Angels 10, Royals 7

At Surprise, Ariz., Runelvys Hernandez gave up just one hit in 3 1-3 innings but walked three and allowed two runs. He also is having problems with his weight and probably is at least 30 pounds over his listed weight of 250 pounds.

Mariners 4, Cubs 2

At Mesa, Seattle's Richie Sexson hit his first home run of spring training and starter Jesse Foppert pitched three scoreless innings.

Astros 7, Braves 5

At Kissimmee, Fla., Tim Hudson warmed up for his opening-day start for Atlanta by going four strong innings. The right-hander allowed three hits and a pair of runs, but neither was earned.

credit BellSOuth