Spring training roundup | News and notes

Phillies: Philadelphia left-hander Cliff Lee said a side muscle strain was the reason his first bullpen session lasted just eight pitches a week ago. Lee said that he’s “perfectly fine” and the strain under his left armpit is “not really a major issue.” He completed his next two pitching sessions last week, and took part in fielding practice during the first week of spring training. Lee signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Phillies as a free agent in December. He said he felt discomfort while playing catch last month in Arkansas.

Yankees: Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner thinks his team’s celebration of its 2009 World Series championship may have lasted too long. “I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year,” Steinbrenner said. “Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that.” When it was pointed out that Yankees captain Derek Jeter was building a large multimillion dollar home in Tampa last year, Steinbrenner said he wasn’t singling out any individual. “I was just saying, maybe they were riding the wave of ’09 a little too much, and it happens sometimes,” Steinbrenner said. “This year in spring so far, from what I’ve seen and what I’ve been told, they’ve come in with a real, new drive and determination — the kind they had in ’09.”

Tigers: Magglio Ordonez knew his season was over as soon as he broke his right ankle sliding into home plate against Toronto last July 24. “When you snap your ankle, there’s no way you are coming back by the end of the season,” Ordonez said after the Detroit Tigers finished practice. Ordonez was batting .303 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs in 84 games. He had 12 homers and 59 RBI before the injury. He led the Tigers with 28 homers and 139 RBIs in 2007, and he said he can put up similar statistics. With Victor Martinez signed as a free agent during the offseason, manager Jim Leyland said the 3-4-5 spots in his batting order are set as long as first baseman Miguel Cabrera makes it back into the lineup.

Associated Press