The only ones getting a workout in Florida this week seem to be the weather forecasters.
All 11 spring training games scheduled for Monday in the Sunshine State were rained out, the result of storms that began to strike during the weekend."I've never seen weather like this, and I've been coming down here for 20 years," Boston manager Kevin Kennedy said. "I've seen windy days, cold days, but never a stretch like this."
The showers, however, were supposed to clear out over most of Florida today.
Boston, which played four innings before their game against Texas was called, had its first rainout since moving to Fort Myers in 1993. The Chicago White Sox had their first rainout in Sarasota since 1991.
The Florida Marlins lost a pair of split-squad games against Cleveland and Atlanta. As a result, they added three extra innings to today's split-squad game with Kansas City.
The Braves, in turn, set up a 10-inning game today against their minor leaguers. The Yankees, meanwhile, had Monday night's rainout against St. Louis rescheduled for next Monday, which had been the Yankees' only off-day of the exhibition season.
Cincinnati managed to play two innings before its game against Kansas City was wiped out. Jose Rijo needed just 19 pitches to retire all six batters.
Rijo underwent elbow surgery last August, and doctors predicted that he might miss the entire 1996 season. But the former Reds ace has been a pleasant surprise this spring, pitching five scoreless innings in three appearances.
Rijo, though, realizes it might be another month before he can rejoin the rotation.
"I still need endurance," he said. "I can go three or four innings, but that's not enough for me. Whatever they want me to do, to fit into a spot, I'll do it. If they want me to wait, I'll wait."
In other developments, pitcher David Wells, traded by the Reds to Baltimore in the offseason, was hospitalized Monday because of a rapid heartbeat.
"He is not in danger," team physician Dr. William Goldiner said. "We will know more about the situation in 24 to 48 hours after we receive the test results."
Manager Davey Johnson said Wells, 32, detected the problem in his room Sunday night.
Also, the Detroit Tigers acquired reliever Randy Veres from Florida for minor league infielder Matt Brunson. Veres, 30, was 4-4 with a 3.88 ERA in 47 games for the Marlins last season.
Mariners 5, Cubs 4
Ken Griffey hit an RBI double and made a diving catch in center field as Seattle won in Mesa, Ariz. Mariners starter Randy Johnson allowed three runs in four innings, but helped himself with a single in his only at-bat.
Brewers 9, Giants 3
Greg Vaughn and Matt Nokes hit two-run homers for Milwaukee in Scottsdale, Ariz. Fernando Vina also homered for the Brewers.
Padres 5, Rockies 4
Marc Newfield hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, completing San Diego's comeback from a 4-0 deficit in Peoria, Ariz. Padres reliever Ron Villone pitched two perfect innings.
Angels 6, Athletics 3
Tim Wallach, Garret Anderson and Chris Turner hit solo home runs for California in Phoenix. The Angels are 12-1 this spring.