Some of baseball's best sluggers can't seem to stay healthy in spring training.
Gary Sheffield, Phil Nevin and Jim Thome are all sidelined with injuries, hoping to return in time for opening day.
The Yankees sent Sheffield, their new right fielder, to New York on Monday to have his right thumb examined by a hand expert.
Hurt in a spring training game last weekend, he could be sidelined up to three months if doctors determine there is a torn ligament and surgery is needed.
"Now I'm officially worried about it," general manager Brian Cashman said in Tampa, Florida.
At first, the Yankees thought Saturday's injury was just a bruise. But then Sheffield had an MRI on Sunday.
His worst-case scenario would be surgery, and best-case scenario would be a return for spring training games, according to Cashman.
Sheffield downplayed the injury, describing it as "nothing major."
"I could play right now if I had to," he said. "It's just a little sore. I've got all my range and motion and [I'm] doing everything with it. They don't want me to take a chance," he said.
That's understandable. The Yankees already are without center fielder Bernie Williams, who had an appendectomy and could miss the season-opening two-game series in Tokyo against Tampa Bay.
Nevin, San Diego's cleanup hitter, has a strained left shoulder and is expected to miss about four weeks, a timetable that could have him back by opening day.
The first baseman was hurt diving for a liner against Anaheim on Sunday night, a year to the day he dislocated the same shoulder, which kept him sidelined until July 23 last season.
Nevin had an MRI in San Diego on Monday that revealed the strain. The area that was surgically repaired last spring was still intact, the Padres said.
"I wasn't really worried about diagnosis, I was more worried about when I was going to play again and what I'd have to do to get there," Nevin said in San Diego before flying back to Arizona.
``Hopefully, everything goes well and I'll be able to play opening day.''
The Philadelphia Phillies got good news about Thome, who could return in three weeks from a broken middle finger on his right hand and probably won't miss opening day.
Thome injured his throwing hand Friday during fielding drills in Clearwater, Florida, and he was examined by a doctor Monday.
"I'm very relieved," Thome said. "You prepare so hard for spring training. It's unfortunate this happened. I will do everything possible to get back and do my best."
In exhibition games:
Angels 5, Mariners 3
At Peoria, Arizona, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer and Jose Guillen followed with a solo shot for Anaheim.
Marlins 8, Expos 1
At Jupiter, Florida, Josh Beckett threw four scoreless innings and rookie Abraham Nunez helped his chances of earning a roster spot by hitting two home runs.
Tigers 8, Astros 4
At Kissimmee, Florida, Eric Munson homered and Nate Cornejo pitched three scoreless innings to lead Detroit.
Houston right-hander Wade Miller gave up five runs and four hits in three innings, his first start of the spring.
Indians 7, Braves 3
At Kissimmee, Florida, Brandon Phillips' two-run double helped Cleveland improve to 4-0. Atlanta dropped to 0-5, but J.D. Drew hit his third home run in three games.
Orioles 14, Dodgers 5
At Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Darnell McDonald and Mike Fontenot homered for the Orioles, who roughed up Jeff Weaver.
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