• Boston Red Sox minorleague outfielder Ryan Westmoreland needs brain surgery after he was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation. The Red Sox announced Saturday night that the 19-year-old Westmoreland, one of the team's top prospects, has taken medical leave from minor-league camp to seek treatment. A cavernous malformation of cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal or dilated blood vessels that effects the central nervous system. Symptoms can include bleeding in the brain, seizures and headaches. Westmoreland left minorleague camp March 4, the team says, and was diagnosed the next day at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday in Phoenix.
• Albert Pujols, who returned to action after taking a week to rest a sore back, hit two hard singles in the Cardinals' 8-5 victory against the Astros on Saturday. Pujols said his back did not bother him when he swung and it did not get tight. "That's the two things I was looking at and I didn't feel any of that," he said. Pujols lined the first pitch he saw into deep center. His second single was a hard line drive to left field. "Five days off, two swings like that," manager Tony La Russa said. "You can't do that unless you're a great player."
People are also reading…
• The Astros' Lance Berkman is expected to miss two to four weeks after having knee surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee. Houston manager Brad Mills said that the surgery on Saturday showed there was no damage to the meniscus or ligaments. The timetable for Berkman's recovery puts him in jeopardy of missing April 5 opening day at home against the Giants.
• Johnny Damon played against the Yankees for the first time since leaving after four seasons to sign as a free agent with the Tigers. Damon had two hits, including a homer, and two RBIs in Saturday's 6-2 win. The veteran outfielder is thrilled with his new surroundings. "Unfortunately, things didn't work out with me and the Yankees, but I couldn't have landed in a better place," he said. "I think I've been fitting in well, and I think we have a good chance here, so I'm just excited about the opportunity. Only time will tell what people are going to think about the 2010 Tigers."
• Center fielder Denard Span and the Twins have agreed to a $16.5 million, five-year contract, a deal that includes a $9 million team option for 2015.
The Associated Press
