Karsay Attempts To Return To A’S
Spring training
After spending the past 8-1/2 months rehabilitating from arm surgery, Steve Karsay allowed a homer to the first batter he faced Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz. And he couldn’t have cared less.
The only thing that mattered to the Athletics’ right-handed pitcher was being back out on the mound again, rather than just anticipating the moment.
“It was very exciting. Being out 18 months, seeing people pitch and waiting on the side is tough,” said Karsay, who has not pitched in a regular-season game since April 1994.
Karsay had bone spurs removed from his elbow on May 10, 1994, just a few days after recording his only complete game in a pitching duel with Roger Clemens at Boston’s Fenway Park. He missed the rest of the 1994 season.
He tried making his first comeback last spring, and pitched in three exhibition games. But the elbow still hurt, and he was unable to start the 1995 season.
A ligament in Karsay’s right elbow was reconstructed last June, and the pitcher that Oakland has always expected to become its ace was out for the season.
He was not expected to throw until late spring this year, but has been working on the side and in batting practice. Monday’s one-inning appearance against the San Francisco Giants was his first in a game.
Karsay said the arm felt fine after his 20-pitch outing, though he realizes the real test will be how the arm feels today or Wednesday.
Karsay went to a full count on the first batter he faced, J.R. Phillips, before allowing an opposite-field homer to a player who hit .195 last season. But Karsay struck out Mark Leonard, got Kim Batiste to pop out and got Tom Lampkin on a liner to third.
Schilling struggles in return
At Clearwater, Fla., Philadelphia Phillies starter Curt Schilling was clearly discouraged after throwing from a mound for the first time since off-season shoulder surgery.
“It wasn’t what I expected,” said Schilling, who was operated on last August. “It’s kind of like waking up at Christmas and finding the tree empty.”
Schilling said he expected to go out and throw hard, but found he couldn’t let loose.
“I expected to be out there throwing 92 mph, right on the black,” he said. “But that’s not going to happen.”
In other Phillies medical news, Tyler Green, who has been experiencing soreness in his shoulder, was set to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging test late Monday.
Players and owners set to talk
Negotiators for baseball players and owners are scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday in Tampa, Fla., but it’s unclear if much will happen during the sessions.
Owners made a new proposal to the union on Feb. 21 and the players’ association has been discussing its response. Union head Donald Fehr said in Jupiter, Fla., he doesn’t know if his side will be ready for a counter-offer.
Clearing the bases
At Clearwater, Fla., relief ace Dennis Eckersley - making his Cardinals debut - gave up a two-run homer to Todd Zeile, but St. Louis beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3… . At Mesa, Ariz., Bobby Morris and former Spokane Indian Paul Faries hit two-run singles in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied for an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies… . Ozzie Canseco, twin brother of Boston’s Jose Canseco, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Montreal Expos. … Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Steve Parris will undergo arthroscopic surgery to his throwing shoulder Wednesday.