Gonzalez Set to Return Next Week

Baseballs are once again zooming off the bat of Texas Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez as he works his way back from surgery on his left thumb. It’s catching them that’s a problem.

Gonzalez can swing a bat with little pain, but he winces when squeezing his glove in the outfield--and that’s while he’s shagging flies and picking up grounders. He’s staying away from line drives.

Still, last year’s AL most valuable player and his doctors are targeting May 2 for his 1997 debut. Gonzalez will begin as a designated hitter and eventually work his way back to right field.

“The doctors have told me he has no limitations with the bat,” Texas Manager Johnny Oates said. “He’s been told that hitting in batting practice or in a game can’t hurt it.

“It’s healed. It’s just a matter of the pain and dealing with it.”

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The New York Yankees will not begin to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu until major league baseball approves the trade of his rights from San Diego, owner George Steinbrenner reiterated Friday.

Reacting to a published report that the Yankees already had proposed a deal worth $4 million per year, Steinbrenner said no offer had been made to Irabu.

“We will not negotiate until [acting Commissioner] Bud Selig gives his permission, which should be forthcoming,” Steinbrenner said. “And we have a deadline of May 31, 1997, to negotiate a final deal and the clock is running each day. It really isn’t fair to keep these young men involved in the transaction in limbo.”

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Baltimore pitcher Jimmy Key was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against Boston because of a sore neck.