Pitcher Dave Stieb is scheduled to make his second official appearance of the spring Friday night in a split-squad game against the Orioles. He says he is ready to go after some recent soreness in his arm.
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“It feels better, a whole lot better,” said Stieb.
Trainer Herm Schneider said Stieb probably had the two best days of his spring the last two days.
Stieb, the Blue Jays’ career victories leader with 174, had elbow problems last year after having back surgery the year before. He was signed to an incentive-laden contract this winter.
Yankee clipped: Right-hander Alex Fernandez, making his first official start of spring training, was pounded by the Yankees Thursday night, giving up five runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman in three innings of a split-squad game at Ft. Lauderdale. Before Thursday, Fernandez pitched just one scoreless inning in an intrasquad game this spring. His last scheduled start was rained out.
The Sox trailed 5-1 by the time Fernandez was lifted and came back to make a game of it before defense and pitching let them down again. The Sox made four errors, two by minor-leaguer Shawn Gilbert, who tried to atone by getting four hits. Fellow minor-leaguer Brad Komminsk had three hits for the Sox, who lost it 9-8 in the 10th inning on a single off the glove of Craig Grebeck by Yankee minor-leaguer Don Sparks. The Sox infield was drawn in at the time.
With the loss, the Sox fell to 3-4 in the Grapefruit League. They are averaging 7.3 runs a game, but giving up 8.9 a game. And they have made 15 errors in seven games. The losing pitcher Brian Drahman. Donn Pall, making his first appearance of the spring, gave up three runs and four walks in two innings.
First moves: Catcher Darrin Campbell and second baseman Ray Durham were sent back to the minor-league camp Thursday. Campbell was brought in just last week to help with the catching chores in the big-league camp and Durham was sent back because of a separated shoulder.