SIDELINES : Franco in Clinic for Checkup

All-star second baseman Julio Franco of the Texas Rangers, complaining of chest pains, left spring training camp today and flew to a Cleveland clinic for a checkup.

Franco, who hit .316 last year, fifth highest in the American League, said the pains bothered him after an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

Franco said he had pains in the left side of the chest wall near his ribs. He told broadcaster Eric Nadel that the pains could have been caused by drinking too much coffee.

Franco had problems last year with caffeine after taking aspirin.