Wang’s injury could open door for Pavano

With Chien-Ming Wang headed to the disabled list, Carl Pavano could end up being the New York Yankees’ opening-day starter.

Wang, a 19-game winner last season, has a pulled right hamstring. He is expected to be sidelined at least a month.

Andy Pettitte has been bothered by back spasms and the Yankees don’t want to rearrange Mike Mussina’s schedule late in spring training, so the oft-injured Pavano appears to be the most likely candidate to pitch April 2 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium.

It would be his first major league outing since June 2005.

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Arizona’s Randy Johnson appeared strong while throwing 33 pitches in his first game action since having back surgery at the end of last season.

Johnson worked two innings of a “B” game against the Chicago White Sox. Facing mainly minor league players, he yielded one hit and struck out three.

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Florida Marlins right fielder Jeremy Hermida might not play opening day because of a deep bone bruise on his right knee.

An MRI exam identified the injury, which occurred when he fouled a ball off the knee March 17. There’s no timetable for him to resume activity.

Joe Borchard or Cody Ross will start in right field if Hermida is unavailable for the opener April 2 against the Washington Nationals.

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Ken Griffey Jr. , making his long-awaited spring-training debut for the Cincinnati Reds, singled in his first at-bat, doubled and made two routine plays in his new position of right field during the Reds’ 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Griffey, 37, was sidelined because he broke his left hand while playing with his children on his boat in December.

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The New York Mets sent Chan Ho Park to the bullpen, cutting down the competition for their No. 5 starter.

The move appears to clear the way for top prospect Mike Pelfrey to claim the final spot in the rotation -- though Manager Willie Randolph said that Aaron Sele still has a chance.

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The Kansas City Royals sent shortstop Angel Berroa, the 2003 American League rookie of the year, to triple-A Omaha.