BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez might not be ready to start the season because of a right ankle injury.
Sanchez, a top prospect expected to compete for the starting second base job this spring, could be out until May.
While Pirates pitchers, catchers and injured position players began spring training workouts over the weekend, Sanchez was limited to rehabilitating his injury in the training and weight rooms.
Sanchez had surgery to remove a bone spur Nov. 4, but he has been bothered by scar tissue and hasn't been cleared by doctors to run, hit or take grounders.
"When I had surgery, I was told it could take four to six months," Sanchez said. "Everything is up in the air now, but the specialists are guessing it might not be healed until May."
The 26-year-old Sanchez, a .323 hitter in four minor-league seasons, was acquired from Boston on July 31 for pitcher Jeff Suppan. Sanchez played one game at Triple-A Nashville before revealing the extent of an ankle injury he sustained a few days before the trade.
The Pirates thought Sanchez's injury might heal with rest and rehabilitation, but he was forced to undergo surgery three months later.
"It's the most disappointing thing I've had to go through in my career," he said. "I had a chance to compete for a job and then this happens."
The Pirates didn't re-sign either Pokey Reese or Jeff Reboulet, opting to go with either Sanchez or another unproven second baseman, Bobby Hill, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in August.
Mazzilli names Ponson opening-day starter
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Summoned by Lee Mazzilli for a meeting in the manager's office, Sidney Ponson approached the door with more than a small measure of trepidation.
"I thought I did something wrong," Ponson said.
Actually, because the right-hander did so many things right last year, Ponson was told by Baltimore's new manager he would be the Orioles' starting pitcher on opening day April 4 against the Boston Red Sox.
It will be the first such honor for Ponson, now the ace of the staff after opening the 2003 season as the No. 4 pitcher in the Orioles' rotation.
"I can tell you right now, Sidney will be our opening-day pitcher -- barring anything that arises," Mazzilli said Sunday. "We signed him for a reason."
Royals invite veteran lefty Swindell to camp
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Kansas City Royals signed left-hander Greg Swindell to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.
Swindell has a 113-122 career record with a 3.86 ERA. He did not pitch in the majors last season. In 2002, he went 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA in 34 relief appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"His agent called me and asked if we would be interested," Kansas City general manager Allard Baird said. "I said, 'We always have interest in left-handers."'
Baird sent scout Brian Murphy to look at Swindell in a workout in Texas, and the reports were good.
"This is hit and miss for us and hit and miss for Greg," Baird said. "There are no guarantees. It is being creative at this point. It is very low risk for the ballclub."
If Swindell makes the team, he would earn the major league minimum $300,000.
Ex-OF Nixon arrested for alleged sexual battery
ATLANTA -- Former major-league outfielder Otis Nixon was arrested and charged with fondling a woman at his home.
Nixon was arrested Friday evening and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery, DeKalb County Police Lt. Myron Logan said Sunday. Nixon was later released on $1,000 bond.
The woman left a gathering at Nixon's home Friday afternoon and told police she had been inappropriately touched by Nixon, Logan said.
Nixon, 45, also was arrested Jan. 8 for allegedly threatening his bodyguard, Kevin Brown, with a knife at a hotel.
Ex-Phillies C Seminick dies at 83
PHILADELPHIA -- Andy Seminick, a catcher on the 1950 Phillies team that won the NL pennant, died Sunday after a short illness. He was 83.
Seminick spent 12 seasons with the Phillies and three with the Cincinnati Reds. He died at Home Regional Hospital near his home in Melbourne, Fla., the Phillies said.
An All-Star in 1949, Seminick was the starting catcher on the Philadelphia team that beat out the Brooklyn Dodgers for the NL title in 1950.
"He was tough, I mean tough, and a great competitor," Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts said in a statement released by the Phillies.
During the championship season, Seminick batted .288 with 24 home runs and 68 RBI. He hit .243 with 164 homers and 556 RBI in 1,304 career games.
He became the first Phillies player to hit two home runs in one inning on June 2, 1949, in the eighth against Cincinnati at Shibe Park. He homered earlier in that game as well, making him the fifth Phillies player to hit three home runs in a game.
Seminick coached with the Phillies twice, from 1957-58 and 1967-69. He also managed several teams in their minor league system and most recently served as a catching instructor in Philadelphia's minor league spring training camp.
He last wore a Phillies uniform in October in the Florida Instructional League.
Seminick is survived by a son, Andrew, and a granddaughter. Funeral services had not yet been arranged.
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