Bernie Williams to Miss Start of Season

<br>Kenny Lofton won't change his approach with the New York Yankees now that Bernie Williams is out after having his appendix removed. <br><br>``I came into spring training expecting to play center

Friday, February 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Kenny Lofton won't change his approach with the New York Yankees now that Bernie Williams is out after having his appendix removed.

``I came into spring training expecting to play center field and DH,'' Lofton said Thursday. ``My preparation is going to be the same.''

Lofton, signed as a free agent and expected to challenge Williams for the starting job in center field, will not have competition at the position at least for the start of the season.

Williams' appendix was removed Thursday, and manager Joe Torre said the center fielder most likely will miss opening day.

``It would be a long shot for him to start the season,'' Torre said. ``It will probably put him back three weeks. I think in three weeks he can probably get in the flow of things. It wouldn't be fair to rush him at-bats and all that stuff.''

Williams, New York's regular center fielder since 1992, began experiencing discomfort Wednesday night.

``I'm very sorry for Bernie because he came in such great shape and worked so hard,'' Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. ``He's a very integral part of this team. I know Bernie. He'll fight through it and be back quicker than everybody thinks. He'll be back full burner.''

Also, New York released third baseman Aaron Boone, who hurt a knee in a pickup basketball game on Jan. 16 and will miss most or all of the season. The injury set the stage for the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez from Texas last week. Boone, an NL All-Star last season before being traded to New York, becomes a free agent.

New York says he is entitled to just 30 days of termination pay, which comes to $917,553 over the Yankees' 188-day season. The move cuts the active payroll to $180.9 million.

``I know I'll be back 100 percent next year for the season,'' Boone told The Associated Press from his home in Newport Beach, Calif., where he's already begun physical therapy on the knee. ``That is ultimately my goal. Now with that said, I expect that I will be playing late in this season.''

In Peoria, Ariz., Ryan Klesko reported to camp with a healthy right shoulder and a new position _ a new old position.

Due to another offseason reshuffling by the San Diego Padres, Klesko will move from first base, his spot for the last four seasons, to left field.

``Obviously, my first choice would have been to stay at first,'' Klesko said. ``But when it comes down to it, I want to do what's best for the team and I want to win. So if that comes down to me playing catcher, I'll do it.''

Klesko had season-ending shoulder surgery on his right shoulder Sept. 4 and hopes to rebound from a career-low .252 batting average.

He'll play left field _ a position he played for five seasons in Atlanta _ and Brian Giles will go to right. Phil Nevin, who dislocated his shoulder last spring while trying to play the outfield, will take over at first base.

In Vero Beach, Fla., Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Cora remained uncertain he will be able to participate in any exhibition games after breaking his right forearm playing winter ball.

``We're hoping to get the range of motion back first,'' said Cora, who had surgery Jan. 30. ``That's the first step, and then we set other goals.''

Cora, 28, said he would have to play in at least some exhibition games in order to be ready for the April 5 opener.

In Tucson, Ariz., Roberto Alomar reported to spring training along with the other position players on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

``I think I put on seven or eight pounds. I feel in much better shape,'' the 12-time All-Star second baseman said. ``The last few years I didn't do what I needed to do to stay in shape. I think at my age now, 36, you have to work more than you used to work before so you can stay in shape. This game is not as easy as people think it is.''

In Scottsdale, Ariz., the Giants said ace Jason Schmidt appears to be healed following offseason elbow surgery, putting him in line to be San Francisco's opening day starter.

``If everything is OK, he'll be the guy,'' manager Felipe Alou said. ``I anticipate Schmidt being ready from the start. He seems to be healthy.''

Schmidt, an All-Star right-hander, was 17-5 with an NL-leading 2.34 ERA.

In Tucson, Ariz., Carlos Lee arrived a day after most of Chicago's position players, arriving Thursday after travel problems from Panama delayed his trip.

He led the White Sox with a career-high 113 RBIs last year, more than two-time MVP Frank Thomas, four-time All-Star Magglio Ordonez or Paul Konerko, who's also been to the All-Star game. Lee led the AL with 59 RBIs after the All-Star break and set his season bests with 31 homers and 18 steals.

``I hope and I think I can do a little bit better,'' Lee said.

In Peoria, Ariz., 41-year-old Edgar Martinez went through the first full-squad workout with the Seattle Mariners.

``It never gets old,'' he said. ``It's an exciting time. It's fun to come to camp. There's something about spring training that is always fun to me. Each spring training you enjoy just being here.''