BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Carter Might Return in Time for Opening Day

An examination of Joe Carter’s broken right thumb revealed a couple of small fractures caused by a pitch from Minnesota’s Scott Erickson on Wednesday and an old fracture that was causing no problems.

“The injury should be completely healed in three to four weeks, and he can play as soon as he can tolerate it,” Toronto Blue Jay spokesman Howard Starkman said.

Originally, it was thought Carter would sit out nearly eight weeks, but Carter said that he expects to be in the lineup on opening day.

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Michael Jordan bloodied his right knee while stealing a base, even after the opposing team’s third baseman told him to stay up.

Players were making the calls in a Class-A exhibition game between the Chicago White Sox’s Prince William team and Baltimore’s Frederick club because the umpires left early to attend a union meeting.

In the seventh inning, Jordan beat out a grounder to short for his second hit in 10 minor league at-bats. He stole second, sliding feet first, and then third--but had a moment of indecision, and went in awkwardly, half-standing.

“I didn’t think I had to slide,” he said. “I thought I had it beat. When I slid, it was hard dirt,” Jordan said. “He (the Frederick third baseman) said, ‘You’re safe. . . . You really didn’t have to slide.’ ”