Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard had a procedure Monday to clean out an infection around the sutures in his surgically repaired Achilles tendon. The procedure was performed in Baltimore by Dr. Mark Myerson, who also performed Howard's original surgery in October. The infection was unusual in cases such as Howard's, but the examination revealed that structurally, the tendon itself was "intact and not compromised."

The Nationals have lost top pitching prospect Sammy Solis for the season because an elbow injury. Solis, 23, split last season between Class A teams in Hagerstown and Potomac. He felt pain during the Arizona Fall League, but there were conflicting opinions on whether he needed Tommy John surgery. The pain returned during a throwing session last Friday and he will undergo Tommy John surgery next week.

Joba Chamberlain has thrown off a full mound for the first time in eight months after elbow ligament replacement surgery. Chamberlain made 16 throws during the session on Tuesday and "everything went great." He is expected to rejoin the Yankees this season, possibly before the All-Star break.

Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada has been held out of his scheduled bullpen session because of discomfort in his left elbow. Wada was sent for an X-ray and manager Buck Showalter said there was nothing unusual about the results. The pitcher signed a two-year, $8.14 million contract last December.

Ryan Howard will head to Baltimore to have his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon examined, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says the first baseman hasn't suffered a setback. Howard recently developed a seroma, which is a pocket of fluid that can develop near an incision after surgery. He is in no pain and took part in a full round of batting practice on Saturday. "He's developed this seroma, which to my understanding has something to do with the body spitting out a stitch," Amaro said. "The doctor will take a look at it, but, like I said, we don't view it as a problem."

Indians closer Chris Perez will miss at least one month and possibly six weeks with a strained left side muscle. Perez had thrown about 30 pitches on Thursday when he pulled up with what he thought was a cramp. Cleveland trainer Lonnie Soloff said there's still a chance Perez will be ready for Opening Day on April 5, depending on how he does with treatments.

Twins right-hander Joel Zumaya left his throwing session early on Saturday with discomfort in his inner right elbow. Zumaya was facing live hitters for the first time this spring. He exited his session after 13 pitches and walked off the field with head trainer Rick McWane.

Ryan Howard is leaving Philadelphia's camp for a few days to visit the doctor who did the surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon. Charlie Manuel called it "a little setback," while Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said it was a "routine checkup." Howard has been taking batting practice and doing light fielding drills and jogging. It's still uncertain whether Howard will be ready for Opening Day.

Cliff Lee will throw a side bullpen session Sunday when Philadelphia's pitchers throw to hitters for the first time in camp. Lee is nursing a minor abdominal injury. Although Lee has had abdominal injuries that have led to trips to the disabled list in the past, he shrugged off his current pain as "just a precautionary deal." "It's similar to the ab strains I've had in the past," Lee said. "Basically the early stages of that in the past I tried to power through it. I'm trying to be smarter with it now and keep it a small issue."

Grady Sizemore will not play on Opening Day because of a strained lower back. The outfielder injured his back a few weeks ago while working his way back from knee surgery. Sizemore has been shut off from all baseball activities as the Indians wait to see how he responds to treatment.