Palmeiro Out Four Weeks

Texas Ranger first baseman Rafael Palmeiro had his second knee operation in a month Sunday and will be sidelined at least four weeks.

“I’ve been told there’s a chance he’ll be ready for opening day,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said. “I don’t know how accurate that is but I’m going to go on that. I’m just trying to make plans for the last few days knowing that this would be a possibility.”

The latest surgery was to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Palmeiro, who played with the Rangers from 1989-93 before re-signing as a free agent during the off-season, also had surgery Feb. 10 to repair another injury on the same knee.

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The New York Yankees are worried about pitcher Andy Pettitte. He walked off the mound after three warmup pitches in the second inning of a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Twins at Tampa, Fla., saying his left elbow was stiff.

An hour later, after an MRI at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Yankees said Pettitte has a “mild muscle strain.”

“There was no significant tenderness, no swelling,” Yankee team physician Stuart Hershon said. “The preliminary studies look good. We won’t have a complete answer on that until tomorrow, but so far everything looks good.”

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It’s official--major league baseball is returning to Cuba for the first time in 40 years. A deal was completed Sunday in which the Baltimore Orioles will play the Cuban national team March 28 in Havana.

The Cuban team will play a return exhibition game at Camden Yards, which will be played either just before Baltimore starts the regular season or on an off day during the season.