Player Notes: American League

AL Player Notes - April 3, 2007

Eric Gagne - RP - Rangers
Eric Gagne (elbow) threw 20 pitches Monday in an extended spring training game. Gagne is expected to pitch again Wednesday and could return from the disabled list as soon as April 13.
Source: Dallas Morning News

Rocco Baldelli - DH - Devil Rays
Rocco Baldelli's injured hamstring cramped up Monday, but he remained in the game and later stole a base after singling. "I cramped up right when I swung," Baldelli said. "I swung and took my first step out of the box and my leg cramped up. I knew what it was right away, but there was nothing I could do about it at that point except turn around and walk back to the dugout. I was just hoping it didn't stay cramped, and it didn't."
Source: Tampa Tribune

Esteban Loaiza - SP - Athletics
Esteban Loaiza canceled Monday's scheduled bullpen session and will not start Thursday at Triple-A after experiencing further tightness in his injured shoulder. Loaiza is returning to Oakland Tuesday to undergo further tests, including an MRI, and said "this one is worse" than the shoulder problems that sidelined him for a month last year. The A's may call up Jason Windsor if Loaiza is out for an extended period of time, but Chad Gaudin figures to replace him in the short term.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Octavio Dotel - RP - Royals
Octavio Dotel (oblique) is expected to be sidelined until at least Thursday and may still end up on the disabled list. David Riske will assume ninth-inning duties in the meantime. "If he can throw on Thursday, great," manager Buddy Bell said. "If he can’t go Thursday, we’ll probably put him on the disabled list and backdate him."
Source: Kansas City Star

Ramon Hernandez - C - Orioles
Ramon Hernandez (oblique) said Monday that he's hoping to return in "three to four days." Hernandez could be available to pinch hit, but likely won't be starting until at least Friday, after he's re-evaluated. Paul Bako started for him Monday night against Johan Santana and had a rough night, getting crushed by Justin Morneau in a home-plate collision that busted his chin and making two defensive mistakes afterward.
Source: Washington Post

Jered Weaver - SP - Angels
Jered Weaver said Monday that he's "completely recovered" from the shoulder problems that have sidelined him to begin the season. Weaver is scheduled to throw 75 pitches in a minor league game Friday and 90 pitches in a minor league start next week, and then plans to return to the Angels' rotation on April 16.
Source: Los Angeles Times

Johnny Damon - OF - Yankees
Johnny Damon said after Monday's game that he expects to be ready to play on Wedneday. Damon left the game with cramps in both calves.
Source: Newsday

Tadahito Iguchi - 2B - White Sox
Tadahito Iguchi is expected to bat seventh in the White Sox's batting order to begin the season. Iguchi spent much of last year hitting second, but Darin Erstad will take that spot this year. Iguchi may get more RBI chances hitting lower in the order, but his overall fantasy value takes a slight hit.
Source: Chicago Tribune