Doctors encouraged about Ellis' comeback from injury

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis will not have surgery on his injured right shoulder, after all.
Ellis, who has been rehabilitating in Phoenix, visited the Bay Area this weekend to be seen by several team doctors. Still, Ellis isn't expected to return in 2004.
While the A's haven't "totally ruled out the surgery," according to trainer Larry Davis, most operations to repair labrum tears are done within a month after the injury happens -- and Ellis is well passed that window.
He couldn't undergo surgery right away because there was too much swelling in the shoulder in the immediate weeks following his spring training collision with shortstop Bobby Crosby during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on March 25.
Davis said it was "highly unlikely" Ellis would return any sooner.
"The last 10 days have been a lot better," the 26-year-old Ellis said Sunday before watching the A's play the Minnesota Twins. "I'm starting to get my mobility and strength back. This is good for the long run. You never want to get surgery.
"They [doctors] were very encouraged. It was a good weekend. I finally got some good news out of this ordeal."
Ellis, who was headed back to Arizona on Sunday night, was encouraged by his strong spring after hitting a disappointing .248 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs last season, his first full campaign in the majors.
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