Oakland starter Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic surgery early next week on his right elbow, which should sideline him at least six weeks. "Any time you lose one of your guys it's disappointing," manager Bob Geren said. "He was projected as a No. 1 guy. It's something we have to overcome as a team."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said on Thursday that infielders Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz will definitely be ready for the start of the team's title defense. "They're going to be fine," Manuel said. "I knew it. Watching them and talking to them and knowing the guys, I knew it." Philadelphia opens their season on April 5, and both players had surgery back in November.

The Brewers got some good news on Thursday when an MRI on Ryan Braun's injured right side indicated no serious damage. "It's pretty much what the player and the doctor from last week told us," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "We didn't think it was anything serious but any time a player continues to have stiffness, you want to get to the bottom of it. "The MRI certainly gives us some comfort. We know it's nothing structural." The exam revealed no cracked ribs or tears of any kind, but Milwaukee still doesn't know when Braun will be cleared to play an exhibition game. The Brewers open the season April 7, and Ash said the problem did not appear serious enough to prevent Braun from getting ready to play.

The Brewers could begin the 2009 regular season without closer Trevor Hoffman, who is suffering from a strained right oblique. Milwaukee manager Ken Macha said Sunday it's "looking dim" that Hoffman will be ready for the team's April 7 game against San Francisco.

Rays outfielder B.J. Upton won't be ready for Opening Day after a recently-suffered bone bruise in his hand. "I would say no," said Rays manager Joe Maddon when asked about Upton's status. Upton had just begun playing in Minor League games this past week after rehabbing from surgery in November to repair a torn labrum. Upton was hit by a pitch on Saturday during a Minor League game.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer admitted on Friday that he doesn't think he'll be healthy enough to play on Opening Day. Mauer has been suffering from soreness in his lower back. "Yeah, I just have to get healthy," Mauer said. "I don't think I'm ready to go out there and play in any games. I know [Opening Day] is getting closer. I really don't know if I'll be there or not." The Twins and Mauer now know where the pain is coming from though, inflammation in his right sacroiliac joint.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones says that his strained side muscle still isn't healed. "It still isn't right," said Jones. "When I get past 70 or 80 percent [effort on his swing], it still bothers me." Jones strained his right oblique muscle playing in the World Baseball Classic and left Team USA after aggravating the injury.

Noah Lowry, who has not pitched for 19 months because of a variety of arm issues, visited Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Wednesday and was told that the shoulder issue that has shut him down this spring is not serious. "He said my shoulder looked great," Lowry said. "He said it looks fresh and young. That's good to hear."

Vladimir Guerrero, who had surgery on his right knee in October, is scheduled to make his exhibition debut Friday against Arizona.

A bad hop at third base hit Pablo Sandoval of the Giants in the mouth. "It implanted both of his lips into his braces," manager Bruce Bochy said. Head trainer Dave Groeschner had to pull the braces and lips apart. Both lips were cut and a tooth chipped. Groeschner hoped to get Sandoval to a dentist Wednesday night or this morning. He will sit at least a couple of days.