Gagne eases back into action

Gagne suffers early setback

Los Angeles pitcher Eric Gagne is making progress as he works his way back to fitness after spraining his left knee on 24 February.

The Dodgers star showed obvious signs of discomfort during his pre-season debut on Monday.

But he looked happier in his second outing on Wednesday, striking out two in a scoreless inning as LA beat Tampa Bay 3-2.

"It was a lot better. I found my comfort zone and I landed more correctly," Gagne said.

"Last time, I tried my regular mechanics and I wasn't ready to do that yet.

"I don't care about results too much. I'm trying to find my comfort zone where I can land and not have the knee bite."

Gagne said there is no doubt he will be ready for the season opener 5 April in San Francisco.

Boston's David Wells believes he will be ready to face his former team-mates when the Red Sox play the Yankees on 3 April.

Wells pitched five solid innings before hit for four runs in the sixth as the Sox lost 6-1 to Baltimore in pre-season action.

With Curt Schilling not expected to pitch until mid-April, Wells said he is is eager to tackle the Yanks on opening day.

"I'm up for any challenge," he said. "Any opportunity you get out there to pitch is a great opportunity, big game or not.

"Some guys can't handle the big game, but that's where I don't have a problem."