Kip Wells will miss next start

The Pittsburgh pitcher has some stiffness in his right elbow.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kip Wells will miss his next scheduled start for the Pittsburgh Pirates because of stiffness in his right elbow.
Wells finished the 2004 season on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, but the Pirates don't believe this injury is as serious. General manager Dave Littlefield expects Wells to return to the mound in a few days and said the 28-year-old right-hander will have no tests taken on his elbow.
"We feel it makes sense to be a little cautious here," Littlefield said Sunday. "With Kip saying he feels a little stiff, we decided not to throw him in a game and back him off based upon how he feels. I'm sure he'll be out there soon."
Scratched Sunday
Wells was scheduled to pitch three innings today against the Cincinnati Reds. He was scratched Sunday after meeting with Littlefield and manager Lloyd McClendon. He went through a normal workout routine in the morning, but did not throw off a mound.
"I told them I could pitch," Wells said. "But at this point, why not take an extra day or so instead of going back out there and not getting everything I can get out of my outing."
Wells started the Pirates' spring training opener Thursday against the New York Yankees and pitched two innings. He gave up three hits and two runs while throwing 35 pitches.
After the game, Wells said his elbow felt fine. But he also didn't throw any sliders, a pitch that puts more pressure on a pitcher's elbow.
"This is natural stiffness that pitchers get after throwing for the first time in spring training," Littlefield said. He added Wells may have tried to do too much, too soon.
Problems last season
Elbow problems contributed to Wells making only 24 starts last season when he went 5-7 with a 4.55 ERA. He was placed on the disabled list in mid-August, and his return to the mound Sept. 5 was cut short after one out and 13 pitches when he began experiencing tightness in his elbow. Wells did not pitch the rest of the season.
Littlefield thinks Wells' stiffness could be attributed to his long layoff. Wells rested his elbow for four months before returning to the mound in mid-January at the team's mini-camp.
"I think that's exactly what it is," Littlefield said. "As we talked to Kip today, it's one of the things that is different. He didn't finish the season healthy and it has been a while since he's been out there at the full adrenaline rate. The key is the start of the season and making 32 starts. It's not making his next start in spring training."
"It's not something that is limiting me," Wells said. "It's just that the quality could be a little bit better by getting some extra rest."
Wells also was bothered by irritation in his right middle finger throughout the season and had carpal tunnel surgery in October.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.