Phil Hughes, who was expected to be the No. 4 starter for the Yankees, might not be ready to start the regular season because of a bulging disk in his upper back.

"Is it in jeopardy, his starting? It's possible, yeah," Joe Girardi said. "I think it's too early to tell, though."

Girardi said that to be added to the rotation, Hughes would need to work his way up to being able to throw 75 pitches, which generally takes four or five starts.

He is still likely two weeks away from making his first start of the spring, which would put him at around March 12.

"He could probably get away with four starts," Girardi said. "So I think it's possible, yeah."

Added Hughes: "Every day is worrisome that I'm not throwing. But it's a double-edged sword. I don't want to push this thing and have it become a recurring issue, but at the same time, every day is a day lost, so I'm kind of in that in-between zone."

Albert Pujols, who is recovering from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, expects to begin running on the field later this week.

He should begin playing in exhibition games around mid-March and is still in line to play on Opening Day (April 1).

The Angels open the season under National League rules, so Pujols won't be able to serve as the designated hitter.

"There's no need to rush him," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think if Opening Day was on the horizon, he might feel the need to push it a little bit. He really doesn't need to be into games until probably the second week of March. I anticipate he'll play before then, for him to be ready for the season."

Derek Jeter is expected to play in his first spring game around March 10.

"He's kind of doing everything, but we're not ready to run him out there for game activity," Brian Cashman said. "When we do, I think we'll start him at DH and then expand."

Jeter ran on the infield dirt on Saturday, his first time doing so since suffering a left ankle fracture in last season's ALCS. He said that having fewer plate appearances than usual in Spring Training should not have a major effect on his preparation.

"I can't tell you how many at-bats I've had in any spring," Jeter said. "I think it's more of a feel thing. You know when you feel as though you're ready. I've had springs where I've left Spring Training not feeling good and I've gotten off to good starts and it's been the opposite."

Curtis Granderson has suffered a fractured right forearm after being hit by a pitch.

Granderson will be out until at least early May.

Granderson was hit by a pitch from J.A. Happ.

"Five pitches in we got a little setback," said Granderson. "Now we rest, recovery, get it back, and get ready to play whenever that day comes."

Jeff Mathis broke his right collarbone in Miami's spring training opener and is expected to be out six weeks.

Mathis was injured in the fourth inning Saturday when he was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Matt Holliday.

He was projected to be the starter behind Rob Brantly this season.

Corey Hart hopes to be back in the Brewers lineup sooner than expected, even though he has a brace on his right knee and needs crutches to get around the clubhouse.

Hart says he's always pretty positive and doesn't think it's unrealistic to think he could be ready to play in late April, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

Logan Morrison has begun working out on a treadmill, which means he's on track for a comeback, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

He underwent knee surgery Sept. 5 and received medical clearance this week to begin a running program.

Giancarlo Stanton was feeling better after being hit on the helmet Wednesday by a fastball from Jose Fernandez, the Marlins' top pitching prospect.

X-rays were negative, there was no sign of a concussion, and Stanton said his vision returned to normal after a few hours. He expects to play in the Marlins' first spring training game Saturday, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Reds have blocked Johnny Cueto from pitching for the Dominican Republic in next month's WBC, according to an ESPN.com report.

Cueto strained his right oblique in last October's division series against San Francisco. Because he finished the year with an injury, the Reds had the right to block him from playing in the WBC.

"I wanted to pitch for the Dominican but the team said no. It's all right," Cueto said Thursday. "I am going to work to get ready for the season. I was ready to pitch. I'm 100 percent."

Matt Garza has a strain on the left side of his body "where the lat meets the oblique" and is expected to miss about a week.

"It's a mild strain, we're probably going to let him rest for about a week," Jed Hoyer said. "Make sure he can ramp back up his throwing."

Garza was hurt as he threw to hitters on Sunday during batting practice and had an MRI on Monday. The injury will delay his first Cactus League start.