Sore Groin Sidelines Yankee Pitcher Lieber

New York Yankee pitcher Jon Lieber was sidelined Sunday by a groin problem after returning from a long layoff, putting him in doubt for the start of the regular season and probably leaving Donovan Osborne with the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

In New York’s latest spring setback, Lieber aggravated the injury during Saturday’s two-inning stint against Atlanta. It was the first time he had faced big league hitters since reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in August 2002.

“I’ve got to take a few more weeks, I guess,” Lieber said. “Just a bad situation.”

Lieber was scratched from his first scheduled start March 8 because of a sore right groin. The former 20-game winner admitted being so eager to pitch that he pushed himself and did not tell anyone he was hurting until he came out.

“I tried to pitch through it and it flared up. I couldn’t push off,” he said. “If it was really serious, I wouldn’t be able to walk.”

The Yankees had already lost Bernie Williams for the March 30 opener in Tokyo because of an appendectomy. Gary Sheffield re-injured his thumb in an exhibition game, and Kenny Lofton was out because of a sore right quadriceps.

General Manager Brian Cashman said he would not look outside the organization for a fifth starter. He said there was “no truth” to speculation that the Yankees were trying to trade for Pittsburgh’s Kris Benson.

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Texas Ranger reliever Jeff Zimmerman’s comeback hit a snag when he felt his right elbow lock up while pitching against the Seattle Mariners.

Zimmerman had retired one batter and walked another when he felt discomfort in his elbow. Pitching coach Orel Hershiser went to the mound and immediately took Zimmerman out.

“It locked up on me,” Zimmerman said. “I don’t know what to think.”

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The St. Louis Cardinals put first baseman-outfielder Steve Cox and second baseman Brent Butler on waivers.... Pittsburgh pitcher Rick Reed sat out his scheduled start because of back stiffness.