Notes: Lowell back in lineup

All-Star's elbow feels fine in first game back

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Tickets Scoreboard Fantasy

 

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Making the final out of the game with the tying run in scoring position wasn't all bad for Marlins All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell.

 

How he felt was more important than the result.

 

Recovering from a sprained right elbow, Lowell saw his first Grapefruit League action in nine days Wednesday, getting five at-bats as the designated hitter in a 6-5 split-squad loss to the Twins in Fort Myers.

 

"I felt great," the two-time All-Star said. "No ill-effects."

 

Lowell has been hampered by right elbow inflammation that has bothered him since last August. He hadn't played since March 8 against the Expos in Jupiter. After that game, he had an MRI taken that detected the inflammation.

 

As further precaution, the 30-year-old third baseman had a bone scan taken to rule out any stress fractures.

 

For more than a week, Lowell has taken anti-inflammatory medication.

 

He went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles Wednesday. He had a bloop single and the second single was a routine fly to right field that was lost in the sun. That hit drove in a run.

 

Lowell also made the last out of the game, grounding out with the tying run in scoring position.

 

At Vero Beach on Wednesday night for a game with the Dodgers, Marlins manager Jack McKeon said it's likely Lowell will play third base on Friday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

"It's up to him," McKeon said. "Whatever he wants to do. With him, you just want to get him out there to get his at-bats."

 

Beckett a bit off: Josh Beckett struggled with his location Wednesday and the Twins took advantage with three runs on seven hits.

 

Beckett worked four innings and tossed a spring high 70 pitches. The 23-year-old struck out two and didn't walk any Twins.

 

"I just missed up quite a bit," Beckett said. "I was up in the zone. I've got to keep working on keeping the ball down."

 

With Beckett and the rest of the starters, McKeon said he isn't as worried about their pitching lines as innings pitched.

 

McKeon said in the final two weeks, the starters will progress from 80 and eventually up to 100 pitches.

 

When the season starts, McKeon wants the starters in position to go seven or eight innings.

 

Tejera effective: Left-hander Michael Tejera enhanced his chances for winning a reliever spot Wednesday night with an effective three-inning stint against the Dodgers.

 

Tejera tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, with one strikeout and no walks.

 

"I felt strong," said Tejera, who is looking to lock up a job in the bullpen. "I was down in the zone. That's why I was effective."

 

On the playoff roster last October, Tejera is striving to make more of an impact this season. To do so, he has to improve against left-handed hitters. Last season, lefties hit .392 (31-for-79) against him.

 

This spring, Tejera is dropping his arm angle, going more sidearm when facing lefties.

 

"I'm dropping down against left-handers, on my fastball and my curveball," the 27-year-old said. "I'm trying to do something different with left-handers because last year they hit me so well."

 

As for his shot at making the team, Tejera said: "I don't make the decisions. They make the decisions. Whenever they put me out there to pitch, I'm going to be available."

 

Tejera retired all three left-handed hitting Dodgers he faced, Dave Roberts (twice), Shawn Green and Robin Ventura.

 

Easley impressing: Veteran Damion Easley, vying for a backup infield spot, improved his chances Wednesday with an opposite-field home run at Fort Myers.

 

Playing shortstop, Easley went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. He did, however, commit an error.

 

Thursday's schedule: Brad Penny (1-0, 1.29) makes his third spring start on Thursday, facing the Dodgers in Vero Beach. The Dodgers will start Jeff Weaver. Thursday's game is part of the scheduling change created when the Marlins played the Astros last weekend in Mexico City. Thursday initially was going to be Florida's off-day.

Glad to have him back and (hopefully) healthy for the rest of the season.