Twins’ Bonser to have ailing shoulder scoped
FORT MYERS (AP) – Minnesota Twins right-hander Boof Bonser will have exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his ailing pitching shoulder, which has kept him off the mound since the start of spring training.
Bonser was experiencing persistent soreness in the joint and sought a second opinion. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday the doctor’s recommendation after the latest MRI exam was to “go in there and clean up.”
There won’t be a timetable for Bonser’s recovery until the results of the surgery are assessed.
Ready to play: Jacoby Ellsbury wants to prove the Red Sox made the right move last fall.
After two seasons of splitting time in center field, the 25-year-old speedster came to camp knowing the starting job is his after Coco Crisp was traded to Kansas City in November for reliever Ramon Ramirez.
Ellsbury already has responded to his new role as an everyday starter by reporting to spring training in the best shape of his young career.
“He looks stronger and thicker through the chest,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “He’s always been very fast and we’ve seen that on the bases, but just by looking at him, he’s added strength. It’s pretty exciting to see.”
Ellsbury left his home in Madras, Ore., and headed south for the Athletes’ Performance center in Arizona to train with teammates Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis this offseason.
What Francona and the Red Sox are looking for from Ellsbury, though, is not power, but an improved ability to get on base to go along with his extraordinary speed.
Deal complete: Garret Anderson will feel a little strange playing for a team other than the Angels.
After spending his entire 15-year career with the Angels, Anderson completed a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves Tuesday.
“I have no idea what to expect,” he said during a news conference at Atlanta’s spring training stadium. “I went through three uniform changes, but Anaheim was always home. It will be different, but my chapter with the Angels is closed.”
Anderson, 36, has 2,368 hits and a career average of .296. He has never batted below .280 in a season.
Intensive care: The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation says it is on track to raise more than $500,000 to benefit an eight-bed expansion of The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after the Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Golf Classic at The Forest Country Club Friday.
Next up is the Red Sox Diamond Dinner on March 10 at City of Palms Park. For more information or to attend the dinner, call the LMHS Foundation office at (239) 985-3550.