Baseball Guru
06-25-2003, 05:35 PM
June 25, 2003
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees pitcher Jon Lieber threw batting practice for the first time Wednesday since undergoing major elbow surgery last August.
The right-hander threw 40 pitches at the team's player development center. It was the first time Lieber has faced hitters since pitching against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 1.
``It just felt good to be out there,'' Lieber said. ``I still have a long ways to go, but that's a big step.''
Lieber signed a two-year free-agent contract during the offseason. He went 20-6 in 2001 for the Chicago Cubs and was selected for the NL All-Star team.
Barring any problems, Lieber could pitch in a minor league game within the next few weeks. The possibility of Lieber joining the Yankees late this season has not been completely ruled out.
``I don't want to push it,'' Lieber said. ``The main thing is how I feel tomorrow. The next day, how you rebound. We'll see how it feels tomorrow and go from there.''
Lieber was 6-8 with a 3.70 ERA and three complete games last year, his fourth with the Cubs, and walked 12 in 141 innings.
Reliever Antonio Osuna, on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain, resumed playing catch Wednesday. The right-hander said he is feeling better and might throw batting practice this weekend.
Shortstop Erick Almonte, sidelined by a right knee injury, has started taking batting practice in the cage and fielding grounders.
Almonte hit .272 with 11 RBIs filling in for the injured Derek Jeter earlier this season. He was optioned to Triple-A Columbus May 13 to make room for Jeter and was hurt four days later.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees pitcher Jon Lieber threw batting practice for the first time Wednesday since undergoing major elbow surgery last August.
The right-hander threw 40 pitches at the team's player development center. It was the first time Lieber has faced hitters since pitching against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 1.
``It just felt good to be out there,'' Lieber said. ``I still have a long ways to go, but that's a big step.''
Lieber signed a two-year free-agent contract during the offseason. He went 20-6 in 2001 for the Chicago Cubs and was selected for the NL All-Star team.
Barring any problems, Lieber could pitch in a minor league game within the next few weeks. The possibility of Lieber joining the Yankees late this season has not been completely ruled out.
``I don't want to push it,'' Lieber said. ``The main thing is how I feel tomorrow. The next day, how you rebound. We'll see how it feels tomorrow and go from there.''
Lieber was 6-8 with a 3.70 ERA and three complete games last year, his fourth with the Cubs, and walked 12 in 141 innings.
Reliever Antonio Osuna, on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain, resumed playing catch Wednesday. The right-hander said he is feeling better and might throw batting practice this weekend.
Shortstop Erick Almonte, sidelined by a right knee injury, has started taking batting practice in the cage and fielding grounders.
Almonte hit .272 with 11 RBIs filling in for the injured Derek Jeter earlier this season. He was optioned to Triple-A Columbus May 13 to make room for Jeter and was hurt four days later.