Justice Injures Shoulder; Berroa Might Start in Left

All-Star David Justice has a shoulder injury that could force him to start the season as the Cleveland Indians’ designated hitter.

The Indians were concerned about Justice being ready to play left field by opening day March 31 because of off-season knee surgery. Injuries to his knee and left elbow had him as the designated hitter most of the second half of last season.

He was able to run a series of sprints this week, but tendinitis in the shoulder has had him on a supervised throwing program since the Indians began full-squad workouts Wednesday.

“I’d like to see him in left field midway through the exhibition season,” Manager Mike Hargrove said. “Right now it’s his shoulder, not his knee, keeping him out of the lineup.”

If Justice can’t play the outfield, Geronimo Berroa would play left field. But the Indians would be stronger defensively with Justice in left and Berroa as the designated hitter.

In last year’s postseason, Justice bruised his left rotator cuff diving back to second base. When the Indians reached the World Series against the Florida Marlins, he was able to play left field.

General Manager John Hart said the two shoulder injuries were not related.

“We heard David was throwing a football in the off-season and felt a tweak in his shoulder,” Hart said. “We brought him to Cleveland during the winter to be examined.”

A doctor determined nothing was torn in the shoulder, he said. Justice received a cortisone shot in January.

Justice wore a brace to protect his elbow last year, but he does not plan to use it this year.

His goal is to be ready to play left field when the Indians open the season.

“If I can’t throw by opening day, I’ll DH,” he said. “Hitting is no problem.”

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J.T. Snow intends to remain a switch-hitter, so he’s working hard this spring on improving his batting from the right side.

Snow batted .281 over with a career-high 28 home runs but he hit only .188 from the right side while batting .312 from the left. Only one of his 28 homers was hit from the right side.

There have been some suggestions that Snow bat exclusively from left side but Snow doesn’t want to give up the option of switch-hitting.

“I got into the big leagues throughout my whole career doing what I was doing and I plan to continue it,” he said. “I want to play every day. I like the challenges of switch hitting.”

San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker said he won’t force Snow to bat from one side but he left open the possibility that he might be benched on occasion when the Giants face left-handers.

“I’m not going to make a big deal out of it,” Baker said. “It’ll take care of itself. I’m going to play him as I normally would and if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll make a move but you’ve got give him a chance.”

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Rob Dibble, 34, is making another pitching comeback and reported to spring training for the San Diego Padres.

Dibble’s goal is simply to make it back to the big leagues, not to pitch like he once did.

From 1988 to 1992, Dibble played in two All-Star games and helped the Cincinnati Reds win the 1990 World Series. He averaged 1.39 strikeouts per inning, and his earned-run average was 2.35.

But he injured his right shoulder in 1993, robbing him of a fastball that could reach 100 mph. He tried making a comeback, making brief stints with the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1995, and retired after the 1996 season.

Then, while working with Fox Sports, his father died of leukemia last summer and Dibble was fired two weeks later. It was because he lacked on-air experience, he said.

“Actually, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Dibble said. “It gave me a chance to reflect on my dad’s life and what it meant to me.”

Dibble hired a personal trainer, and six months later he’s in the best physical shape of his career, he said.

Padre pitching coach Dave Stewart watched Dibble pitch before spring training at Pepperdine University and said Dibble’s fastball reached the low 90s.

The Padres invited Dibble to participate in minor-league camp, and Dibble is considered a candidate for triple-A Las Vegas.

Padre closer Trevor Hoffman was second in saves in the National League last season with 37, so Dibble will probably be challenging for a setup role.

“If I get the chance to pitch in the major leagues, I could care less when I get the ball,” Dibble said.

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In Tampa, Fla., Yankee Manager Joe Torre said David Cone, who has looked impressive following off-season shoulder surgery, will pitch in Wednesday’s intrasquad game.

Reliever Mariano Rivera, who underwent a precautionary MRI last month after experiencing tenderness in the front of his throwing shoulder, reported no problems following his initial stint throwing batting practice.

“I’m feeling real good,” Rivera said. “There was no tenderness.”

Rivera threw fastballs and changeups during his 10-minute outing. He has been working extensively this spring on the off-speed pitch.

“The ball was jumping out of his hand,” Torre said. “He’s still working on the changeup. It’s comfortable watching him throw it. He just has to get better command.”