Shoulder Injury Sidelines Lawrence

Washington National pitcher Brian Lawrence has a tear in his right shoulder and will be sidelined until the All-Star break.

The tear was diagnosed after an MRI test, team doctor Bruce Thomas said Saturday.

Lawrence came into training camp hoping to make the starting rotation. Now it’s likely he won’t return until midseason or later, Thomas said.

“Injuries have never been an issue with me,” Lawrence said. “I never felt any pain until the first day I showed up here.”

Lawrence started throwing the day before workouts officially began. He said he felt good, but something went wrong after his first bullpen session.

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Oakland Athletics’ outfielder Milton Bradley ended his six-day silence and kept his first spring training interview noncontroversial.

Five reporters were told by the team’s public relations department to keep all questions restricted to baseball.

The former Dodger went one step further, saying he would talk only about his experience with the A’s.

Bradley declined to be interviewed when he reported early to camp last Sunday, saying, “I really don’t want to deal with the media this spring.”

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Pittsburgh right-hander Kip Wells was examined by a St. Louis surgeon who specializes in blood clots. Wells was checked by Robert Thompson, a vascular surgeon at Washington University, General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

Wells, who approached team officials Thursday to complain of arm fatigue, is expected to rejoin the team today, Littlefield said.

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Chicago Cub third baseman Aramis Ramirez will not play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, saying he’s not yet ready to play all out.

Ramirez was selected last month to play third base after the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez decided to play for the U.S. in the inaugural tournament. Seattle’s Adrian Beltre has been named the starting third baseman.

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Milwaukee extended the contract of Manager Ned Yost through 2008, rewarding him for the Brewers’ first non-losing season since 1992. The Brewers finished 81-81 in 2005.