Brown May Have to Skip First Start of Season

Kevin Brown’s back is hurting again, just as the season is about to begin.

The New York Yankee left his last spring outing after three innings Friday at Lakeland, Fla., and could skip his first scheduled regular-season start next week.

The 39-year-old right-hander, ineffective for much of last season because of back pain, gave up four runs and six hits in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He told pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre after his third inning that he felt “stiff and achy.”

“I thought I’d go ahead and get out of there before I had a chance to do any real damage,” Brown said.

Brown had been scheduled to make his first start next Friday against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

Jaret Wright, the fifth starter, isn’t scheduled to make his first start until April 15 at Baltimore. Wright, who gave up two hits in four scoreless innings Friday, could move into Brown’s slot.

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As expected, Curt Schilling was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Boston Red Sox, a move that was made as he works his way back from off-season ankle surgery.

Schilling, who underwent the surgery in November, was put on the disabled list retroactive to March 26, making him eligible to return in mid-April.

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Outfielder Carl Crawford agreed to terms on a $15.25-million, four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays that could be worth up to $32.5 million over six seasons.

Tampa Bay has an $8.25-million option for 2009 with a $2.5-million buyout. If the Devil Rays exercise that option, the team gets a $10-million option for 2010 with a $1.25-million buyout.

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Infielder Carlos Baerga was assigned to the Washington Nationals’ minor league camp and will try to catch on with another club.

The move got the Nationals’ active roster down to the 25-man limit. The final spot went to infielder Tony Blanco, selected from Cincinnati in the winter meeting draft.

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Kris Benson’s first regular-season start was pushed back two days because the New York Met right-hander has a strained right pectoral muscle.

Benson had an MRI exam in New York on Wednesday, and the team revealed the results Friday.

He was scheduled to start the third game of the season next Thursday in Cincinnati, but former Dodger Kazuhisa Ishii will pitch instead. Benson will start Saturday in Atlanta.