Pierre Injures Finger

Florida Marlin center fielder Juan Pierre dislocated his right pinkie Sunday while sliding headfirst on a steal attempt in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Mets in Jupiter, Fla.

Pierre’s return to the World Series champions is uncertain. He could come back within a week if the injury is not too serious, or he might be sidelined up to six weeks if there’s ligament damage.

Pierre, who led the majors last season with 65 stolen bases, was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which confirmed the dislocation. He was scheduled to see a hand specialist today.

Pierre has never been on the disabled list in more than three years in the majors.

Without complications, Manager Jack McKeon speculated that Pierre could return in four to seven days, which would be plenty of time for the April 6 season opener against the Montreal Expos.

“Knowing Pierre, I would think he’ll play the last week of spring,” McKeon said.

The Marlins’ leadoff hitter was injured sliding into New York Met shortstop Gil Velazquez. He was safe.

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Right-hander Rick Helling of the Minnesota Twins will be sidelined at least a month because of a broken right leg after being hit by a line drive.

He was hit in the lower leg by a liner off the bat of Philadelphia’s Shawn Wooten in the fourth inning Saturday. He left the game with what he and the team believed was a bruise, but X-rays Sunday revealed a fractured right fibula.

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Bench coach Don Baylor is back with the New York Mets after successful treatment for cancer. He joined the team in Port St. Lucie, Fla., for the first time this spring.

It was almost a year to the day since he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.

Baylor, 54, underwent stem-cell replacement surgery on Feb. 3. The procedure calls for a six-week recovery period, which is why he didn’t join the club when training camp opened.

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Harold Baines was named the bench coach for the Chicago White Sox. Baines, who was beginning his second season as special assignment instructor, was given the position one day after Joe Nossek stepped down for health reasons after 13 years.