Phillies closer Brad Lidge received a cortisone shot in his surgically-repaired right elbow on Tuesday. The reliever had surgery on his elbow in November and likely won't be ready to pitch until mid-April at the earliest. Philadelphia is hoping that the cortisone shot will speed his rehabilitation.

Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee tested his strained abdomen with no pain on Wednesday. He played catch, but is still expected to begin the season on the disabled list. "It went good. I don't feel anything," Lee said. "It was pretty light, but I'm pleased with how I feel."

Astros first baseman Lance Berkman saw his knee swell up following morning workouts on Tuesday. Houston is giving consideration to placing him on the disabled list to begin the 2010 season. "We got him out there to try to take a lot of ground balls, and (the knee) wasn't moving quite like I think he was comfortable with," manager Brad Mills said. "So we're just going to back off with him for a couple of days and see what happens." Berkman had his left knee scoped March 13.

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler may start the season on the disabled list. He hasn't played in an exhibition game since March 12, when he suffered a sprained right ankle. Texas has until Saturday to make their decision. "Whatever we decide is going to be in the best interest of Ian, that's for sure," manager Ron Washington said. "We're not going to rush him back, but we're not ready to make an announcement."

Mets general manager Omar Minaya is still hoping that shortstop Jose Reyes will be able to play on Opening Day. "We haven't ruled it out yet, no," Minaya said. "I'm guessing the next step is going to be live BP (batting practice). He looks good. He wants to bring it to the next level." Minaya's comments are curious because he said on Saturday that he did not think it was wise to rush the shortstop "just to have him for one game."

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira was hit by a pitch on Monday night in an exhibition game against the Orioles. The pitch, thrown by Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie, hit Teixeira in the right elbow and forced him out of the game. "I was kind of like, 'Oh no!' when he got hit," manager Joe Girardi said. "He won't play [Tuesday] and probably won't play Wednesday. We'll shoot for Thursday." The injury was determined to be a bruise.

Rockies closer Huston Street said Sunday that he hopes to return in late April from shoulder stiffness. Street said after back-to-back throwing sessions on Friday and Saturday "it didn't go any better, but we are going to stay with the throwing program, see if we work through it." Street has already been shut down twice this spring because of the stiffness, but the rest did not alleviate the problem. "We have set a time frame which we hope will have me back by the end of (April)," he said.

Dodgers catcher Russell Martin didn't play in his first Cactus League game on Sunday even though his strained right groin appears to be progressing. Instead, he was scheduled to play in a minor league game. "He certainly isn't happy about it," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. After saying that Martin would play in his first Cactus League game no later than Thursday, Torre said after Sunday's game that Martin will play on Tuesday against Colorado.

The Mets are unlikely to have shortstop Jose Reyes in the lineup for Opening Day. New York has largely skirted around the issue. "I can't tell you he's not going to be ready," general manager Omar Minaya said Saturday. Reyes only returned to camp with his teammates a few days ago. "We're not going to rush for the sake of one game," Minaya said. "Having him play the whole [or the vast majority of the games] is the most important thing."

The Indians have placed first baseman Russell Branyan on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back. The move gives the starting job at first base to Matt LaPorta. Cleveland manager Manny Acta said that the team didn't think Branyan had enough time to get ready for the season opener April 5 at the White Sox.