Mussina Misses Opening Start

While the swelling in Mike Mussina’s pitching elbow, which canceled his opening-day start against Kansas City, grabbed most of the attention, the Baltimore Orioles made several other moves.

Mussina was not put on the disabled list, but the Orioles did put right-hander Rocky Coppinger (sore shoulder) and outfielder Pete Incaviglia (strained hamstring) on the 15-day DL. A decision has yet to be made on outfielder Brady Anderson, who has been hampered by a cracked rib.

Left-hander Jimmy Key will get the start for the Orioles.

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Cleveland Indian pitcher Jack McDowell, who had been bothered by a strained abdominal muscle, went six innings in a simulated game, throwing 89 pitches without pain. He will start Cleveland’s fifth game, Sunday against the Angels in Anaheim. . . . Artificial turf laid for the first time overnight Sunday as the SkyDome switched from the home of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors to its baseball configuration, has air pockets every few yards or so. A new application process, using Velcro instead of zippers, helped create the problem, which Blue Jays general manager Gord Ash said should be fixed in time for today’s opener against the Chicago White Sox. . . . The White Sox bought the contract of 41-year-old pitcher Danny Darwin and placed pitcher Jason Bere and third baseman Robin Ventura on the 15-day disabled list. . . . The Detroit Tigers bought the triple-A contract of outfielder Vince Coleman and designated right-handed pitcher Ramon Fermin for assignment.