Cubs reeling after Borowski blow

Borowski had only just returned to action

Chicago Cubs closer Joe Borowski is out for six weeks after having his arm broken by a line drive in a pre-season game in Arizona.

His loss is another blow to Chicago's pitching staff already depleted by injuries to Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.

Borowski was attempting to come back from a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder this spring. That injury ended his season in June last year.

"I've worked so hard to get back, and I'm just going to take this as another bump in the road," he said.

"Fortunately, all the doctors say it should heal without any problems."

Houston pitcher Andy Pettitte's comeback from an injury-plagued 2004 season is gathering pace.

He allowed two runs and four hits in his first start of the spring as the Astros beat Washington 8-2.

Pettitte, whose season was cut short by elbow surgery last August, threw 60 pitches, striking out three and walking one.

LA starter Odalis Perez felt no recurring effects from the left biceps tendinitis that has sidelined him most of the spring as the Dodgers saw off Florida 5-3.

"I could be ready to go if I have to be the No 2 guy," Perez said after throwing 25 pitches in two innings. "I could be ready to go five innings."

Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect inning in his first outing since being sidelined with mild bursitis in his right elbow on 14 March as the Yankees beat Philadelphia.