Edmonds recovery coming along slowly

Jim Edmonds’ first batting practice session left him feeling far from optimistic that he’ll be ready for opening day.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ center fielder is rehabbing from off-season surgery on his right shoulder and left foot, and thus far it’s been slow going. With three weeks to go before the World Series champions open the season on April 1, there’s no timetable yet for his first spring training appearance.

“It would be great to be able to play opening day, but I’m not going to lose my cool if something doesn’t go perfectly as planned,” Edmonds said Sunday. “If I make it I make it, and if I don’t, I don’t.

“Things have got to be pretty dead-on.”

Another injured Cardinal, shortstop David Eckstein, plans to return from a pulled muscle on his right side Tuesday. Manager Tony La Russa had been hopeful that Eckstein, limited to two at-bats this spring by a recurrence of an injury that caused him to miss 26 games last year, could play Sunday against the Braves.

Pavano gives reason for missing start

Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano says he missed his scheduled spring training start last Friday because of a medical situation involving his girlfriend.

Pavano, who discussed the matter for the first time, left Legends Field about 45 minutes before Friday’s game after receiving permission from the team.

“The reason I left, my girlfriend had a severe medical condition and I had to be with her,” Pavano said.

Pavano didn’t give specifics about the problem, but said his girlfriend is “doing well.”

Pavano didn’t ask for permission to leave Friday, but was told to by New York manager Joe Torre.

Indians to be without Lee at season start

Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee will start the season on the disabled list because of an abdomen strain.

The lefty, who went 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA last season and is 46-24 since 2004, felt the strain in his right abdomen during a throwing session early in spring training.

The Indians hope Lee, their No. 3 starter, will at least be able to resume throwing for the final two weeks of training camp.

Dodgers release reserve Jackson

The Los Angeles Dodgers released reserve infielder Damian Jackson.

Jackson signed as a free agent in December and was entering his 17th season in professional baseball – his 11th in the majors after spending time with eight teams.