Mussina Might Return Soon

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina could return to the starting rotation this weekend, the team said.

Mussina, a right-hander, has been out since April 17 with a wart on the index finger of his pitching hand. He left his start the previous night after five innings when the wart split open.

Mussina was treated with cryotherapy, a process in which liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the wart to remove it, and has thrown in the bullpen twice in the past few days without any problem.

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Texas Ranger right-hander Roger Pavlik will be sidelined for at least two months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken finger in his pitching hand.

Pavlik had two pins inserted in the middle joint of his right index finger and likely won’t be able to throw for five or six weeks.