Greinke sidelined by fractured rib
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke is likely to begin the season on the disabled list because of a fractured right rib he injured while playing pickup basketball in the offseason.
The former AL Cy Young winner is expected to be out two to four weeks. Initial X-rays were negative, but an MRI Monday revealed a hairline fracture in one rib and a bruise in a second.
Greinke, traded from Kansas City to Milwaukee in the winter, said he was hurt when he went up for a rebound and fell on his side.
"Everyone always told me not to do it because I was going to get hurt," Greinke said Tuesday. "It finally caught up to me."
The Brewers open the season March 31 in Cincinnati.
"I'm feeling good but it's not worth it," Greinke said. "Hopefully it won't be too long. I don't want to miss any time with the team, especially at the beginning. Until it heals there's nothing you really can do. You just need to let it heal."
Greinke had made two starts this spring, the latest on Sunday when he allowed a run on five hits in two innings against Texas.
He won the 2009 AL Cy Young award with Kansas City, going 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA and 242 strikeouts.
Morneau plays in 'B' game
Justin Morneau hit a three-run double in a spring training "B" game, the first time he's played for the Minnesota Twins since a concussion sidelined him in July.
The 2006 AL MVP was at first base a day after he received medical clearance from his doctor following an hour-long conversation.
"We figured now is as good a time as any to see if my body was ready for this," Morneau said. "I'll have a day off tomorrow. Then I'll come back and get some more work," he said.
Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates at Lee County Sports Complex, Morneau grounded into a fielder's choice in his first at-bat . . . Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown had surgery on his broken right hand and is expected to miss four to six weeks. -- AP
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