FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona suggested it would take a miracle for shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to be ready by Opening Day. He is expected to start the season on the disabled list with right Achilles' tendinitis.
"I think it's more realistic," Francona said. "I wouldn't hold out hope, but ... if he comes in tomorrow and all of a sudden he says he has a miracle, we'll make room for him. But I just don't know if that's realistic."
The earliest Garciaparra could return from the DL is April 10.
Francona said Garciaparra might get a second opinion on his foot.
"I know Dr. [Bill] Morgan has talked to specialists numerous times," Francona said. "You try to do everything in your power. They changed the medication, things like that. They've done some things. They're going to do some more things a little more aggressively."
Garciaparra, who was hit in the foot by a ball in batting practice March 5, has played only four games this spring and has gone 0-for-8.
Francona has discussed the matter with Morgan and general manager Theo Epstein. He also spoke to Garciaparra Monday night.
"I think he felt a little frustration," Francona said. "He just wasn't getting over the hump."
Not all the medical news Tuesday was negative. Francona said third baseman Bill Mueller is no longer feeling soreness in his right elbow.
"He really feels good," Francona said. "The Doc gave him a clean bill of health." The plan was for Mueller to get five at-bats in an intrasquad game Tuesday at the Red Sox minor league complex in Fort Myers. He has missed six straight games and 9 of 10 with a strained triceps muscle.
Francona is also encouraged with the progress made by pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim.
"The word I keep hearing is crisp," Francona said. "So that's good news."
Kim is scheduled to throw off a mound Thursday for the first time since he was diagnosed with tendinitis the second week of March.
Mendoza's Ready
Francona said righthander Ramiro Mendoza, who allowed three runs in two innings against the Blue Jays, is healthy enough to break camp with the team. It was the first time he had allowed runs in three relief appearances.
"He's been pretty good," Francona said. "Probably it's not really being fair to ask him to be this good this quick." ... David McCarty (3-for-5) hit his seventh homer and Cesar Crespo had two hits in the loss to the Jays. ... Lefthander Frank Brooks allowed three runs and two hits in one inning. ... Lefthander Mark Malaska was optioned to Pawtucket. The team still has to make 11 cuts. Malaska had a 4.50 ERA in six relief appearances. ... Francona said David Ortiz would hit cleanup Opening Day if Garciaparra isn't in the lineup.
"I think it's more realistic," Francona said. "I wouldn't hold out hope, but ... if he comes in tomorrow and all of a sudden he says he has a miracle, we'll make room for him. But I just don't know if that's realistic."
The earliest Garciaparra could return from the DL is April 10.
Francona said Garciaparra might get a second opinion on his foot.
"I know Dr. [Bill] Morgan has talked to specialists numerous times," Francona said. "You try to do everything in your power. They changed the medication, things like that. They've done some things. They're going to do some more things a little more aggressively."
Garciaparra, who was hit in the foot by a ball in batting practice March 5, has played only four games this spring and has gone 0-for-8.
Francona has discussed the matter with Morgan and general manager Theo Epstein. He also spoke to Garciaparra Monday night.
"I think he felt a little frustration," Francona said. "He just wasn't getting over the hump."
Not all the medical news Tuesday was negative. Francona said third baseman Bill Mueller is no longer feeling soreness in his right elbow.
"He really feels good," Francona said. "The Doc gave him a clean bill of health." The plan was for Mueller to get five at-bats in an intrasquad game Tuesday at the Red Sox minor league complex in Fort Myers. He has missed six straight games and 9 of 10 with a strained triceps muscle.
Francona is also encouraged with the progress made by pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim.
"The word I keep hearing is crisp," Francona said. "So that's good news."
Kim is scheduled to throw off a mound Thursday for the first time since he was diagnosed with tendinitis the second week of March.
Mendoza's Ready
Francona said righthander Ramiro Mendoza, who allowed three runs in two innings against the Blue Jays, is healthy enough to break camp with the team. It was the first time he had allowed runs in three relief appearances.
"He's been pretty good," Francona said. "Probably it's not really being fair to ask him to be this good this quick." ... David McCarty (3-for-5) hit his seventh homer and Cesar Crespo had two hits in the loss to the Jays. ... Lefthander Frank Brooks allowed three runs and two hits in one inning. ... Lefthander Mark Malaska was optioned to Pawtucket. The team still has to make 11 cuts. Malaska had a 4.50 ERA in six relief appearances. ... Francona said David Ortiz would hit cleanup Opening Day if Garciaparra isn't in the lineup.
