FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price is likely to start the season on the disabled list because of his sore pitching elbow.
Starting the second season of a $217 million, seven-year contract, Price has not yet appeared in an exhibition game.
"I think at this point, yeah, it would be hard to see him ready to go at the start of the season," manager John Farrell said before Tuesday's game against Toronto. "We really won't have any kind of idea until he gets on the mound the first time and right now, I don't know when that's going to be."
Boston had hoped for a formidable rotation headed by Price, Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and Chris Sale, acquired in December from the Chicago White Sox.
Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner with Tampa Bay, was 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA last year. He felt discomfort in his left elbow following a two-inning simulated game on Feb. 28 (see full story).
Astros: Bagwell aiding Gurriel's transition to 1B
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Yuli Gurriel has a special guest instructor this week to help him get more familiar with playing first base: newly elected Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell.
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"It's an honor to work with him," Gurriel said. "It's a player that I've watched growing up even as a little kid in Cuba."
A former third baseman, Bagwell himself made the transition across the diamond. He has offered positioning suggestions, footwork tips and recommendations regarding mental approach.
"He's doing well," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said of Gurriel. "He's learning and adapting. We don't talk a lot about defensive timing, but the timing at first base has been a little bit better. He looks a little bit more comfortable."
So far the tutelage covered defensive play. Gurriel expects to have time to ask questions of Bagwell, who hit .297 with 449 homers 1,529 RBIs during 15 major league seasons, all with Houston.
"We haven't talked hitting yet but I plan on asking a few questions here and there," Gurriel said with a smile, speaking through a translator (see full story).
Angels: Shoemaker pitching without fear since surgery
SURPRISE, Arizona -- Matt Shoemaker would have better reason than most to be nervous on the mound, yet he pitched without fear on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Angels right-hander retired the first 11 Kansas City hitters he faced before a double by Lorenzo Cain with two outs in the fourth inning. The Royals won 8-4.
In his final start last season, Sept. 4 in Seattle, a 105 mph line drive by Kyle Seager struck Shoemaker just above the right ear.
He was able to walk off the field, but he required emergency surgery after tests revealed a skull fracture and bleeding in his brain.
Shoemaker said he has felt "pretty normal" when balls are hit up the middle in spring training.
"Anytime, whether you've been hit before or not, I feel like when a ball comes back toward you, you flinch," Shoemaker said. "It's just a natural reaction to put your glove up to try to catch it. So definitely I don't think any different than normal" (see full story).
