Josh Hamilton fought through the World Series with a left groin injury. Saturday, he was held out of the Rangers lineup due to tightness in his left groin (MLB.com). He won't play Sunday either, in a move that is said to be precautionary. The tightness first occurred on a double in Friday night's game. "Since it's Spring Training, I decided to leave the game," Hamilton said (MLB.com). "If this were the regular season, I wouldn't have left the game. I came in today, got some treatment and felt a knot in there. It was a muscle spasm, we rubbed it out and it feels better."
Hamilton and the Rangers believe he's going to be the starting center fielder come opening day.
• More Rangers: Third baseman Adrian Beltre missed his third consecutive game with back stiffness. The issue is not considered serious (Evan Grant via Twitter).
• Astros management is growing concerned that shortstop Jed Lowrie (sprained thumb) won't be ready to begin the season in the starting lineup. He's reportedly still not able to grip a ball properly and the club is discussing contingency plans, in case Lowrie needs to be placed on the disabled list (MLBlogs Network).
• Tigers infielder Brandon Inge is dealing with a strained groin and is day to day. Also, backup catcher Gerald Laird injured his knee Friday in a collision, but he's only dealing with soreness and is also day to day (freep.com).
• Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum got a slow start this spring due to a sore shoulder, but he's now on track to make a spring start April 4 and then be ready for his first scheduled regular-season start April 9 (jsonline.com).
• Rays' fifth starter Jeff Niemann is suffering from a blister on his right middle finger. He isn't scheduled to pitch in the regular season until April 11, so everything should be OK by then (MLB.com). Then again, if it's not, the Rays still have Wade Davis as an option.
• Giants relief pitcher Clay Hensley had an MRI on a strained calf, but he reportedly "got good results" and shouldn't miss much time (Giants Extra).
• Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel may have to start the season on the disabled list, due to a quad injury that just won't go away (MASNSports.com). He's slated to be the starting center fielder. Roger Bernadina is the fallback option.
• Brewers right fielder Corey Hart is nearing the four-week mark since his knee was scoped, and he's getting very close to being ready for opening day. As of now, Hart seems resigned to missing only "four to five games." (MLB.com)
• Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez has opened the season on the disabled list, but he's recovering quickly from his torn pectoral muscle. He's been throwing and taking swings, with plans to take batting practice next week. Still, there's no set timetable for his return, other than that he can move to the next step of rehab "when I have three, four good days in a row." (Seattletimes.com).
