Hoffman Holds Off on Surgery

Closer Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres has decided to take more time for rehabilitation instead of having surgery.

Hoffman conferred with sports surgeon Lewis Yocum on Friday and had his physical with team doctor Jan Fronek on Saturday in Peoria, Ariz.

Hoffman said increased strength in his right shoulder recently convinced him to give his recovery more time rather than having surgery.

“Based off the progress I’ve had lately, I’m pretty optimistic,” he said. “We’re going to continue off of that. We’ll see how the next couple weeks go.”

Hoffman has not been able to throw since Oct. 16 after surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear.

Pain has persisted, possibly because of arthritic degeneration.

“Pain is going to be part of the issue,” Hoffman said. “But that’s not necessarily our focus.”

Hoffman, 35, was 2-5 with a 2.73 earned-run average and 38 saves.

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Left-hander David Wells missed the New York Yankees’ workout because of flu symptoms.

He was sent home by team officials after arriving at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., for the third day of spring training drills.

Wells, 19-7 with a 3.75 ERA in 31 starts last season, was scheduled to throw from a bullpen mound for the second time.

Reliever Steve Karsay, meanwhile, had his first full bullpen session since undergoing back surgery last November. He threw for 10 minutes and will have another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday.

The club also said there are no immediate plans to work on a multiyear contract with second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who batted .300 with 39 homers, 41 steals and 102 RBIs in his second full season last year, when he made $630,000.

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Outfielder Kevin Millar finally reached his destination when he moved from the Florida Marlins to the Boston Red Sox by way of Japan. The drawn-out process reached an abrupt conclusion when the Chunichi Dragons released him from any commitment Friday and the Marlins sent him to the Red Sox Saturday morning for an undisclosed amount of money.... The Cincinnati Reds voided their minor league contract with outfielder Greg “Toe” Nash, ending his attempt to get back into baseball after serving prison time. General Manager Jim Bowden said the contract was voided for “legal reasons” but declined to comment further. Nash was recently arrested after getting into a fight in Donaldsonville, La., according to his father.