Renteria Nursing Sore Back
By David O'Brien
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 25, 2006
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - The first caution flag of Braves spring training went up Friday.
New shortstop Edgar Renteria was held from Friday's workout because of a sore back, and manager Bobby Cox said he also might rest him today.
The Braves hate to hear "sore back" and Renteria in the same sentence, since he's had periodic back problems during his career with Florida, St. Louis and Boston.
Cox downplayed the latest pain and said he held Renteria out of the workout only for precautionary reasons.
He said Renteria, 30, hurt his back when he jumped out of the way of a ball Thursday in the batting cage. Cox admonished himself for letting Renteria come out for extra infield practice at the end of Thursday's workout.
Some in Boston last year believed Renteria's back contributed to his career-worst 30-error performance in his only season with the Red Sox, who traded him with three years left on his four-year, $40 million contract.
The Braves owe Renteria $18 million of the $29 million left on his contract, with Boston picking up the rest of the tab. The Braves traded top third-base prospect Andy Marte to the Red Sox, who later traded him again to Cleveland.
Renteria hired a personal trainer this winter and worked out at his homes in Colombia and Miami Beach. He reported to spring training in good shape.
The Braves expect big things from the four-time former All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. They will be cautious this early in spring training, because they can't afford to have him hindered throughout the season.
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