SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP News and notes

Yankees: Kenny Lofton won't change his approach now that Bernie Williams is out after having his appendix removed. "I came into spring training expecting to play center field and DH," Lofton said. "My preparation is going to be the same." Lofton, signed as a free agent and expected to challenge Williams for the starting job in center field, will not have competition at the position at least for the start of the season. Williams' appendix was removed Thursday, and manager Joe Torre said the center fielder most likely will miss opening day. "It would be a long shot for him to start the season," Torre said. "It will probably put him back three weeks. I think in three weeks he can probably get in the flow of things. It wouldn't be fair to rush him at-bats and all that stuff." Williams, New York's regular center fielder since 1992, began experiencing discomfort Wednesday night. Also, New York released third baseman Aaron Boone, who hurt a knee in a pickup basketball game on Jan. 16 and will miss most or all of the season. The injury set the stage for the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez from Texas last week. Boone, an NL All-Star last season before being traded to New York, becomes a free agent.
Padres: Ryan Klesko reported to camp with a healthy right shoulder and a new position -- a new old position. Due to another off-season reshuffling, Klesko will move from first base, his spot for the last four seasons, to left field. "Obviously, my first choice would have been to stay at first," Klesko said. "But when it comes down to it, I want to do what's best for the team and I want to win. So if that comes down to me playing catcher, I'll do it." Klesko had season-ending shoulder surgery on his right shoulder Sept. 4 and hopes to rebound from a career-low .252 batting average. He'll play left field -- a position he played for five seasons in Atlanta -- and Brian Giles will go to right. Phil Nevin, who dislocated his shoulder last spring while trying to play the outfield, will take over at first base.
Dodgers: Second baseman Alex Cora remained uncertain he will be able to participate in any exhibition games after breaking his right forearm playing winter ball. "We're hoping to get the range of motion back first," said Cora, who had surgery Jan. 30. "That's the first step, and then we set other goals." Cora, 28, said he would have to play in at least some exhibition games in order to be ready for the April 5 opener.
Diamondbacks: Roberto Alomar reported to spring training along with the other position players. "I think I put on seven or eight pounds. I feel in much better shape," the 12-time All-Star second baseman said. "The last few years I didn't do what I needed to do to stay in shape. I think at my age now, 36, you have to work more than you used to work before so you can stay in shape. This game is not as easy as people think it is."
-- Associated Press