Inflamed Shoulder Puts Red Sox Starter Kim on Sidelines

Boston Manager Terry Francona is reconsidering his early-season rotation after Byung-Hyun Kim was sidelined for at least a week because of an inflamed shoulder.

“I don’t think we think B.K. is going to miss any significant time, [but] we’ll have about six different plans to cover everything,” Francona said Friday in Fort Myers, Fla.

An MRI exam showed inflammation behind Kim’s right shoulder that was causing pain, although the joint and rotator cuff looked “very good,” according to Brian Busconi, a Red Sox physician.

He said Kim was receiving anti-inflammatory medication.

Kim, who prefers starting to relieving, pitched primarily out of the bullpen last season. This season he figured to be the fifth starter behind Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Derek Lowe and Tim Wakefield.

Kim has yielded two runs in 4 1/3 innings in two spring training appearances. Bronson Arroyo, scheduled to be the long reliever, will start Tuesday while Kim rests.

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Right-hander Brandon Webb agreed to a three-year, $3.3-million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal includes a team option and performance bonuses that could make it worth almost $10 million.

Webb, 24, was 10-9 with a 2.84 earned-run average in 28 starts last season as a rookie.

Called up from triple-A Tucson after Randy Johnson went on the disabled list, he struck out 172 in 180 2/3 innings and walked only 68.

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Third baseman David Bell was slowed by yet another injury when a shoulder problem flared up, the latest in a series of spring training setbacks for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies already had lost first baseman Jim Thome and closer Billy Wagner because of finger injuries when Bell felt pain in his right shoulder.

Bell hurt himself taking batting practice before an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves. He left the park in Clearwater, Fla., to take an MRI test and was scheduled to be examined in Philadelphia on Monday.

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Barry Bonds won’t play in an exhibition game until Monday at the earliest. The San Francisco Giant outfielder felt back pain Wednesday and has been limited to physical conditioning and back exercises.

“He felt the rotation of swinging the bat may bother him, and he’s probably right,” club trainer Stan Conte said. “We’ll cautiously continue his program and see how he does in the next couple of days.”

Conte said Bonds has inflammation and irritation of the joint at the base of his spine, but he has shown improvement.

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Third baseman Tony Batista of the Montreal Expos has been diagnosed with chickenpox and will be sidelined at least one week.

As a precaution, the Expos began screening the medical histories of players and staff. Those not immune will be vaccinated, Manager Frank Robinson said.

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The New York Yankees finalized their one-year, $500,000 contract with pitcher Orlando Hernandez, who underwent surgery May 12 to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff. It’s estimated the right-hander, believed to be 38, needs two or three more months to get into shape to pitch in the major leagues.