MLB Spring Training news

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Spring training news

Brewers: Pitcher Eric Gagne said he was sorry that he’d caused “a distraction that shouldn’t be taking place” for his new Milwaukee Brewers teammates. Gagne said he felt “bad” for what his family and friends went through in the offseason and lauded baseball for its efforts to deal with performance-enhancing drugs. Identified in the Mitchell Report as an HGH user, the 32-year-old closer declined to answer questions and never addressed the specific accusations against him. Gagne acknowledged the Mitchell Report only once, in a separate statement in French to three Canadian media outlets.

Red Sox: At Fort Myers, Fla., Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling spoke for the first time about his desire to have surgery on his ailing right shoulder, and his subsequent decision to honor Boston’s preference for rehab. “I don’t have any choice. If their course of action doesn’t work I don’t pitch this year, and I may never pitch again,” Schilling said. “I have to mentally get behind it and do everything I can do to make it work.” Red Sox owner John Henry said he thought rehabilitation was the best treatment for Schilling and, from what he’s heard, there’s “a reasonably good chance” that Schilling will pitch this season. The club and the pitcher hope he can return around the All-Star break. “He shouldn’t be upset because we’re trying to do what’s in the best interests of Curt and the team,” Henry said. “So I heard the arguments and I felt we were doing the right thing.” Red Sox team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended rehab for the tendon injury. Schilling sought a second opinion from Dr. Craig Morgan, who operated on the right shoulder in 1995 and 1999. Morgan felt strongly that surgery was best and that rehabilitation would fail and end Schilling’s career. A third doctor, New York Mets team physician Dr. David Altchek, was consulted. He said Schilling had a rotator cuff injury as well as the tendon problem and he felt surgery would sideline the pitcher for the season, according to Morgan.

Nationals: At Viera, Fla., Bret Boone made it a family affair in Washington’s clubhouse.

Out of the majors since 2005, he joined his brother, Nationals infielder Aaron, and his dad, Nationals assistant general manager Bob, for a surprise news conference at Space Coast Stadium. Bret Boone, who turns 39 in April, said he’s coming out of retirement. “My dad being here, and Aaron being here — if I was going to extend my career a year or two, I think it would be pretty cool playing with him,” said Bret, a three-time All-Star who signed a non-guaranteed, minor league contract. “At this stage, I didn’t have 30 teams banging my door down. It’s an opportunity, and I’m very appreciative of it. Everybody doesn’t get to do this.”

Associated Press