Spring training scoreboard

Los Angeles Dodgers: He didn't earn a win or last long enough to gain a decision Wednesday, but Kevin Brown produced some of the best news out of Dodgertown this spring.

Brown, the Los Angeles ace recovering from surgery to repair a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow, pitched two innings in a simulated game and reported no trouble.

If he doesn't feel any pain, Brown he will pitch in his first exhibition game Saturday or Sunday.

"The biggest point is to be able to throw, sit down and go out and throw again and not have any problems and I did that today," Brown said. "One more hurdle cleared."

Brown, 36, underwent surgery on the elbow Sept. 27 after battling through pain down the stretch of the season.

He had been throwing off sideline mounds and in live batting practice this spring until Wednesday's workout. In his 37 pitches, Brown mixed curves, sinkers, sliders and fastballs. His fastball topped out at 93 mph, and he struck out Brian Jordan on a curve and did not have any of his pitches hit hard.

Kazuhisa Ishii, the Japanese free agent expected to be one of the Dodgers' top three starters, also threw two innings in the simulated game.

Ishii threw 42 pitches, reaching as high as 91 mph with his fastball. He also mixed in breaking pitches and a curve that struck out Tom Goodwin twice.

Paul Lo Duca was behind the plate for Brown, who went 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA last season.

"His stuff was better than at any point last year," Lo Duca said. "Everything was sharp. the whole key was he felt no pain. He seemed in great shape and ready to keep going."

Meanwhile, Ishii expects to pitch in his first exhibition game Friday.

Ishii, 28, hasn't pitched games so far because he arrived late to spring training from Japan and needed time to settle in.

"For the first time out I feel satisfied," Ishii said through an interpreter. "But I know I have work to do to get ready for the season."

Right fielder Shawn Green said Tuesday that his left shoulder has improved and he plans to play this weekend.

Green, sidelined in the club's first six spring training games because of tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, said he could be in the starting lineup as early as Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Dodgertown.

Boston Red Sox: Mike Cubbage might not be the Boston Red Sox's manager for very long, but he won't have any trouble remembering his debut.

The Red Sox put aside the distractions of their managerial search Wednesday to beat Pittsburgh 8-1 as Tony Clark hit a long solo home run and Rickey Henderson had a two-run single.

Darren Oliver (1-0) made his first Boston appearance since being traded by Texas during the offseason, allowing one hit over three shutout innings. Tim Wakefield, who 10 years ago this spring was trying to make Pittsburgh's staff, followed with three shutout innings.

It was the Red Sox's first game under Cubbage, who will run the team until the new ownership group decides on a replacement for Joe Kerrigan, who was fired Tuesday.

Red Sox interim general manager Mike Port said the team hopes to have a new manager by the weekend. Indians coach Grady Little was given permission Wednesday to talk to Boston.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jamey Wright strained his left oblique muscle while swinging at a curveball in the batting cage Sunday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Wright, who is expected to start the Brewers' season opener April 2 at Houston, had soreness in his side, forcing him to skip a bullpen session Monday. Wright was examined by team doctor William Raasch on Tuesday morning and club officials made the decision to skip his turn in the rotation this week.

"I was a little bummed about missing a start, but these (spring training) games don't mean anything," said Wright, who worked two innings in his exhibition debut Saturday against Colorado.

"It's more important to be ready for the season. I'd rather miss a start now than later."

New York Yankees: Catcher Jorge Posada could make his first spring training appearance behind the plate Thursday. Posada had offseason shoulder surgery and has been only a designated hitter in the first week of spring games.

"I'm thinking tomorrow, but I might decide to wait a couple days," manager Joe Torre said Wednesday before the Yankees played Texas. "I'm very happy. You never know when you have surgery. He's responded well to treatment. Now he's just about back to normal."

Posada spent the winter working out at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa. He has spent time during the last few weeks with Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, a spring training instructor.

"I want to be a better catcher," Posada said. "I want to be mentioned with Ivan (Rodriguez, the Texas catcher), make a run at the Gold Glove this year."

First baseman Jason Giambi is scheduled to play Thursday against Tampa Bay. He left Monday's game after his left leg stiffened in 40-degree weather. Giambi missed two games last week with left hamstring tightness.

Shortstop Derek Jeter is expected to be sidelined at least a few more days by a strained neck muscle. He reported continued improvement Wednesday.

Outfielder Rondell White, out with a left rib cage strain, should increase his flexibility drills in the next couple days.