Sanchez unsure about opener

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- After playing the first five innings of Wednesday night's 12-9 loss against the Yankees at second base, Freddy Sanchez said he would be reluctant to start the season March 31 in Atlanta if his shoulder doesn't feel better.
"I wouldn't be doing the team any good out there," he said. "Taking a relay (throw) in the gap, a fast runner coming into second with the game on the line -- the way I was out there tonight, I couldn't really let it go, so I'd have to say no."
Before Wednesday, Sanchez had been used exclusively at the Pirates' designated hitter (the DH is not allowed in National League games when the season starts).
Besides going 1-for-3 at the plate and driving in a run, Sanchez handled two "official" chances, moving adeptly to his right to snare a line drive by Derek Jeter in the third and throwing out Hideki Matsui in the fourth. He also threw to first baseman Adam LaRoche in the third inning after a force play at second, which actually was the third out.
Sanchez has been feeling discomfort in his shoulder all spring, the aftermath of minor arthroscopic surgery in September.
"It's not where I'd like it to be," he said. "But it hasn't gotten worse. It (the discomfort) is mainly when I'm trying to throw hard."
Manager John Russell said Sanchez will not play Thursday against the Phillies, but should return to the lineup Friday at McKechnie against the Reds.
"We'll ease him back into it, give him a day to recover and keep monitoring him," Russell said.