One possibility would be to acquire a young shortstop in need of an opportunity — the Dodgers' Chin-lung Hu, perhaps, or the White Sox's Brent Lillibridge. The Orioles also could bide their time, waiting for their young pitchers to develop and trading for a top shortstop prospect later.
Position players who remain unsigned: Jim Edmonds, Frank Thomas, Richie Sexson, Mark Grudzielanek, Ray Durham, Jose Vidro, Luis Gonzalez and Paul Lo Duca.Pitchers: Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, Mark Mulder, Armando Benitez. Ben Sheets, coming off elbow surgery, could return in the second half. So might Paul Byrd, who did not want pitch a full season.
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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Los Angeles Angels ace John Lackey received a cortisone shot in his right elbow in an attempt to relieve the pain in his ailing arm, and it's uncertain when he'll pitch again.
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Lackey experienced discomfort after last Sunday's start against Kansas City because of tightness in his forearm near the elbow. He continued to feel uncomfortable Thursday and was given an MRI.
Team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum said Saturday that the main concern now is to get the pain out of Lackey's elbow before he'll resume throwing.
"If we get the elbow (pain) down, it could be a couple of weeks," Yocum said.
Yocum added there was "no indication" that surgery would be needed.
For the second consecutive season, Lackey, who went 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA last season, won't be the Angels' opening day starter. Lackey is one of three Los Angeles starters who will not be ready to open the season with the team. Right-hander Ervin Santana (elbow) and Kelvim Escobar (labrum) also are sidelined.
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