PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mets shortstop Kaz Matsui will be sidelined for a week after injuring a finger on his throwing hand during infield drills Sunday.
Matsui needed two stitches near the nail of the middle finger on his right hand after being hit by a grounder, the team said. His fingertip was cut and the nail was bent back.
The Japanese star was a big offseason acquisition for New York, signing a $20.1 million, three-year deal and prompting Jose Reyes' switch to second base.
The Mets said Reyes will not move to short while Matsui is out. Joe McEwing and others will play there instead.
Matsui is a seven-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner in Japan, hitting .305 with 33 homers and 84 RBI last season.
Yankees' Williams out of hospital
TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams was released from the hospital, two days after his appendix was removed.
Williams spent an extra day at St. Joseph's Hospital because of a low fever, which is not unusual after surgery.
"He'll probably be here in the middle of the week," New York manager Joe Torre said Sunday. "He can still do, without getting out on the field, things he has been doing for his shoulders and stuff. He can do all that."
Williams is considered a long shot to be ready for the season opener March 30 in Tokyo against Tampa Bay. Torre has not ruled out his return the week after the Japan trip.
A's Mulder fine after mound session
PHOENIX -- Athletics left-hander Mark Mulder threw off a mound for the first time in over a week and said he'll be ready to take his regular turn when spring training games start.
"It won't be a problem," Mulder said after throwing about 35 pitches in his first action since having back spasms. "I'll throw to hitters in a day or two, and we only start with two or three innings the first time out. I feel fine."
Mulder woke up with a sore back last weekend. A's manager Ken Macha said the team is being careful in bringing Mulder along.
"This whole thing might end up as nothing," Macha said. "We're just being extra cautious. If he's fine, we'll get him back on schedule."
Beckett to start Marlins' spring opener
JUPITER, Fla. -- Josh Beckett will start the Florida Marlins' spring training opener, his first competitive action since winning Game 6 of the World Series.
The right-hander will start Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale. He should throw about three innings.
"It'll be nice to get back out there against guys who aren't ours," Beckett said Sunday, referring to the live batting practice sessions he threw during Florida's first week of spring training.
Lieber looking for Wednesday return to work
TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees pitcher Jon Lieber hopes to resume working off a mound Wednesday.
Lieber, who missed all of last season, hasn't had a bullpen session since last Monday, when his right groin tightened up eight minutes into a 12-minute workout.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said Sunday it's too early to be concerned about Lieber's regular season status.
"If he's not throwing off the mound by 10 days, we have a problem," Torre said. "Hopefully that's not the case."
Mientkiewicz's knee is fine
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz returned to workouts Sunday morning after hyperextending his left knee the day before during a fielding drill.
Mientkiewicz, who was hurt when he landed awkwardly on the edge of the infield after jumping to get out of the way of a ball, moved around at home Saturday night without any difficulty. He did everything in practice on Sunday.
"I'm just happy I woke up and it wasn't swollen," Mientkiewicz said.
Also, right-hander Grant Balfour, who has tenderness in his forearm near his elbow, pitched to live batters Sunday for the first time this spring.
Expos' Day, Chavez agree to terms
MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Pitcher Zach Day and outfielder Endy Chavez agreed to contract terms with the Montreal Expos.
Day was 9-8 with a 3.86 ERA in his first full major-league season last year. The 25-year-old right-hander was 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA before his season was put on hold for 50 days. He went on the disabled list May 29 because of an inflamed right shoulder.
Chavez hit .251 in 141 games in his first full season in the majors in 2004. He spent most of his time as the Expos' center fielder and leadoff hitter. He ranked second on the team with 18 stolen bases.
