The Chicago Cubs are searching for a new closer after Tom Gordon went down with an injury. The St. Louis Cardinals feel fortunate that Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols only sprained his ankle.

On a day when injuries made the biggest news at spring training, the Cubs learned Thursday that Tom Gordon has a "severe" shoulder injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Cubs had counted on Gordon to come back strong from an injury-plagued season. Instead, a second MRI exam Thursday confirmed their worst fears.

"It's a significant injury that's going to require significant time off," Cubs president Andy MacPhail said. "We don't have a time frame yet.

"We don't know the severity of it, but we know it's severe."

Cubs trainer Dave Tumbas said the injury occurred in the back of Gordon's right shoulder.

Minus Gordon, the Cubs will use Kyle Farnsworth and Jeff Fassero to close games. They both held the job last year when Gordon was hurt, but Cubs manager Don Baylor really wanted to use them in setup roles.

"It's a blow," Baylor said. "But we can't give up the season because we lost Flash."

Pujols left the Cardinals' exhibition game in Jupiter, Fla., with a sprained left ankle after stepping awkwardly on the bag at first.

Pujols was trying to beat out a grounder to third in the second inning against Philadelphia's Brandon Duckworth when he was hurt. He was down for several minutes in foul territory just outside of first before leaving the game.

"It looked scary to all of us," manager Tony La Russa said. "The fact he walked off, I think he was more upset at himself than anything else. I think there isn't anything serious there."

Pujols' status is day-to-day, and he will be evaluated Friday. The Cardinals won the game 5-0.

In other injury news, Jason Giambi's left hamstring still hasn't healed, and the New York Yankees' first baseman won't return to the lineup until at least Saturday.

"It's not as good as you want it to be," manager Joe Torre said. "It's not an injury. It's tightness in there."

Giambi missed two games last week because of left hamstring tightness, and his leg stiffened during Monday's game against Minnesota.

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Meanwhile, shortstop Derek Jeter could return to the Yankees' lineup by the weekend. He has been out since Sunday because of a strained neck muscle and probably won't play until next week.

San Francisco's Jeff Kent is optimistic about returning to the Giants' lineup by opening day.

Kent left for the Bay Area on Sunday for tests on the broken bone in his left wrist, which revealed minor ligament damage. He returned to Arizona to begin rehab work.

"My rehab history has been quick, so I think this prognosis is good for us," Kent said.

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