There's news about Royals closer Joakim Soria, and the news is not good. Soria departed Sunday's game against the Indians because of elbow pain.“Oh, yeah, I’m worried,” Soria admitted to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. “Since I’ve had my Tommy John surgery (in 2003), I’ve never had anything like that. I don’t feel it’s that bad because before the Tommy John surgery, all of my strength went away. This time, it hasn’t."
Soria has struggled badly this spring, and Sunday's outing -- another poor performance -- has done nothing to ease concerns that something is not right with the once-dominant reliever.
Other injury news and notes from around the camps ...
- CBSSports.com Insider Danny Knobler reports that Brewers right-hander Shaun Marcum (shoulder) may not be able to make his first start of regular season but should be in game shape shortly thereafter. On Sunday, Marcum threw a 30-pitch simulated game without incident, and the team hopes he'll be able to make his Cactus League debut next week.
"He's a guy that doesn't need a lot of spring training," Milwaukee pitching coach Rick Kranitz told Knobler. - More good news on the Kendrys Morales front: The Angel slugger will make his Cactus League debut on Tuesday. Morales hasn't been in a major-league lineup since May of 2010, when he suffered a broken lower leg that eventually required surgery. If healthy, Morales should make the Angels a better team. [Los Angeles Times]
- X-rays of Placido Polanco's jammed left ring finger turned up negative, and he's likely to miss only a game or two. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
- Mets 3B David Wright still has no timetable for his return from a ribcage injury. He's yet to play in a game this spring. [New York Post]
- Giants 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder) has seen DH duty in recent days, but he's still not able to play the field. Manager Bruce Bochy hopes Sanchez will be ready to man second next week but says he probably won't be by Tuesday. At this point, Sanchez may not have enough time left to get ready for opening day. [MLB.com]
- Seattle SS Brendan Ryan missed a fourth straight game because of a sore quad, but he should be back in the lineup on Monday. [MLB.com]
- Astros outfielder Jack Cust played the field for the first time this spring. He's been limited by tendonitis in his throwing elbow. [MLB.com]
- 1B Aubrey Huff (back) was out of the Giants' lineup on Sunday. After an off day Monday, he should be able to go on Tuesday. [San Jose Mercury News]
- White Sox reliever Jesse Crain (oblique), who's in the mix for the closer's job despite having pitched just 3.0 innings thus far in spring training, could do some light throwing over the next day or two. [MLB.com]
- Yankees 2B Robinson Cano exited the game on Sunday after being struck on the hand by a pitch. No word yet on whether his departure was anything beyond precautionary in nature. [ESPN New York]
- A's right-hander Joey Devine will start the season on the disabled list. [Jane Lee via Twitter]
- Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (hip) was able to work behind the plate for five innings on Sunday. [Scott Lauber via Twitter]
- Astros CF Jordan Schafer was forced to leave Sunday's game after landing awkwardly on his wrist. However, X-Rays were negative, and he's listed as day-to-day. [Houston Chronicle]
