Cubs Lose Prior Indefinitely

Chicago Cub pitcher Mark Prior has been sidelined indefinitely because of inflammation in his right elbow and an inflamed ulnar nerve, the team said Tuesday.

Prior’s injuries leave the Cubs without two of their starting pitchers.

Kerry Wood has been unable to pitch because of bursitis in his right shoulder.

Officials said Prior’s injury was unrelated to the elbow tendinitis that led to the right-hander sitting out spring training and the first two months of the 2004 season.

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Alex Sanchez, who started nearly half of last season in center field for the Detroit Tigers, was released by the team.

Sanchez has frustrated Detroit with his sloppy play in the field in the past, and did again during spring training.

Detroit hopes Craig Monroe or Nook Logan will emerge as its top center fielder. Manager Alan Trammell said Dewayne Wise and Alexis Gomez were also candidates to win the job.

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New York Yankee reliever Paul Quantrill will be sidelined for a few days because of soreness in his left rib cage. He could resume throwing Thursday.

Closer Mariano Rivera felt better Tuesday, one day after an MRI exam showed mild bursitis in his right elbow.

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Kansas City slugger Mike Sweeney has sat out five spring training games because of a sore back. The Royals hope the first baseman and designated hitter will return to the lineup today.

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Former Oakland pitcher Vida Blue was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence after a minor traffic accident at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Blue, 55, was released several hours after being charged. No one was hurt in the accident. Blue was the American League’s most valuable player and Cy Young Award winner in 1971.