Karsay Returns to Mound for A’s

After spending the past 8 1/2 months rehabilitating from arm surgery, Steve Karsay allowed a homer to the first batter he faced. And he couldn’t have cared less.

The only thing that mattered to the Athletics’ right-hander was being back out on the mound again, rather than just anticipating the moment.

“It was very exciting. Being out 18 months, seeing people pitch and waiting on the side is tough,” said Karsay, who has not pitched in a regular-season game since April 1994.

Karsay had bone spurs removed from his elbow on May 10, 1994, just a few days after recording his only complete game in a pitching duel with Roger Clemens at Boston’s Fenway Park. He missed the rest of the 1994 season.

A ligament in Karsay’s right elbow was reconstructed last June, and the pitcher that Oakland has always expected to become its ace was out for the 1995 season as well.

He was not expected to throw until late spring this year, but has been working on the side and in batting practice. Monday’s one-inning appearance was his first in a game.

Karsay said the arm felt fine after his 20-pitch outing, though he realizes the real test will be how the arm feels Tuesday--or Wednesday, when he goes back to the bullpen to throw.

His velocity was nothing spectacular Monday, but he’s confident that will return with time.

“It’s as hard as I can get right now. As I continue to get arm strength and strength in my body, I’ll be OK,” he said. “I’m pretty far away from the arm strength I had before the surgery.”

Karsay went to a full count on the first batter he faced, J.R. Phillips, before allowing an opposite-field homer to a player who hit .195 last season. But Karsay struck out Mark Leonard, got Kim Batiste to pop out and got Tom Lampkin on a liner to third.

“He did great,” A’s manager Art Howe said. “Maybe the home run let him settle down a little bit.”

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Pittsburgh Pirate right-hander Steve Parris will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder on Wednesday. Orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe will perform the exploratory surgery. Jobe performed reconstructive shoulder surgery on Parris in 1993. Wednesday’s surgery will not be as extensive as in 1993, but doctors still won’t know how long it will take Parris to recover until after the operation. . . . Cincinnati Reds’ right fielder Reggie Sanders missed a game Monday because of a shin injury sustained in a collision with second baseman Jeff Branson. Sanders is expected to return in the next few days. He bruised his left shin when he ran into Branson as they converged on a shallow fly ball Sunday during a 5-4 victory over Cleveland. . . . Ozzie Canseco, 31, and the Montreal Expos agreed to a minor-league contract. Canseco, twin brother of Boston’s Jose Canseco, is a first baseman-outfielder who spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals but has not been able to stick in the major leagues. . . . Frank Viola, who had reconstructive surgery on his left elbow in 1994, gave up four hits and two earned runs but struck out four in three innings as the Philadelphia Phillies tied the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-6. . . . Negotiators for players and owners are scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday in Tampa, Fla., but it’s unclear if much will happen during the sessions. Owners made a new proposal to the union on Feb. 21 and the players’ association has been discussing its response. Union head Donald Fehr said in Jupiter, Fla., that he doesn’t know if his side will be ready for a counter-offer. “We won’t know for sure until Wednesday,” he said.