 07/19/2003 9:51 PM ET
Notes: Tests on Lowell encouraging
Cabrera will remain Marlins' starter at third base
MIAMI -- A battery of tests revealed some encouraging news for Marlins All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell.
Lowell, who missed his second straight start Saturday, underwent an MRI on Friday for a sprained left groin.
On Saturday, the 29-year-old also had a series of tests conducted to determine if he had a relapse
of cancer. In 1999, Lowell underwent testicular cancer surgery.
For two days, there were anxious moments in the Marlins' clubhouse. After Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Cubs at Pro Player Stadium, minds were put at ease when word came that Lowell could be back in the lineup as early as Monday against the Expos.
"It's a very good sign," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "I think he will be ready by Monday. If the tests rule out all the rest of the stuff. That's the big area."
A statement released by the Marlins noted: "Mike Lowell and the organization are still awaiting the results of one of
the lab tests, but all completed tests have ruled out the possibility of cancer in the left groin and hip area."
Lowell, who had a ground-rule double in his only at-bat in Tuesday's All-Star Game, has been hampered by a left groin strain for more than a month.
The team statement added: "Since Friday, Mike Lowell has undergone a battery of tests to include an MRI, bone scan, CT scan and blood work."
The MRI and bone scan were performed in Fort Lauderdale. Marlins physician, Dr. Dan Kanell, recommended further consultation and evaluation with Dr. Mark Scarborough at the University of Florida Medical Center in Gainesville.
Mike Lowell
/ 3B
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"Hopefully, Mike is fine and will miss a couple of games and he will be back out there," said catcher Mike Redmond, a close friend of Lowell. "He's a gamer."
Lowell is in the midst of a career year with 28 home runs and 76 RBIs, both franchise highs heading into the All-Star Break.
He is batting .275 with 24 doubles and a .586 slugging percentage.
"We need Mike and we want Mike," McKeon said. "He's a tremendous asset to the ballclub. But our primary concern is that he is physically well."
First baseman Derrek Lee added: "That's great news [Saturday's test results]. I was getting a little nervous. This is definitely good news."
Cabrera at third: Until Lowell returns, rookie Miguel Cabrera is starting at third base. An infielder in the minor leagues, the 20-year-old Cabrera has been the regular left fielder since being called up from Double-A Carolina on June 20.
Todd Hollandsworth, the starting left fielder for much of the first half, is again starting in left.
McKeon remains high on Cabrera, a Venezuelan native who batted .365 in Double-A.
As expected, Cabrera is going through growing pains, batting .225 with four home runs and 14 RBIs.
"I see a lot of confidence," McKeon says. "He has confidence in his ability. He is not intimidated by the best of them. He has a good presence in the batters box.
"Once he's around the league a bit and sees the pitchers a second time, he will be OK."
When McKeon managed the Royals in the 1970s, he noted that Hall of Famer George Brett had his struggles after breaking into the Major Leagues at an early age.
"After that, he was lights out," McKeon said of Brett.
Crowd pleasers: For a moment on Friday, McKeon thought he was in Fenway Park.
The crowd of 26,174 at Pro Player Stadium was on its feet cheering on closer Braden Looper to finish off a 6-0 victory. Looper ended the game by striking out Sammy Sosa.
"It's exciting seeing the fans on their feet with two strikes," McKeon said. "You thought you were in Fenway or something. It was a big win. You want to start a homestand with a win."
Down on the farm: Triple-A Albuquerque blanked Tacoma, 3-0, Friday night behind a complete-game victory by Sean Bergman (4-9).
Bergman struck out seven. Abraham Nunez had three hits and in 18 games since returning from an injury, the switch-hitting outfielder is batting .394 (26-for-66). Derek Wathan was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double.
Double-A Carolina tripped up Jacksonville, 4-3, with Denny Bautista improving to 4-0.
In seven innings, the hard-throwing Bautista gave up one run on three hits. He helped his cause with a double and RBI. Jesus Medrano went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Class-A Jupiter suffered a 9-1 loss to Daytona at Roger Dean Stadium.
Donald Levinski gave up two unearned runs in three innings, suffering the loss.
The skipper says: "There were a lot of coaches here who thought he was ready in Spring Training. The guy has got supreme confidence in himself. He has that, 'Give me the ball, I'm going to go after these guys.'" --
McKeon on rookie All-Star Dontrelle Willis, who impressed the team with how he handled himself in Spring Training. Willis opened the season in Double-A before being called up on May 9 after Josh Beckett was placed on the disabled list.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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