BASEBALL
Indians clear Wright to start working out
Ruth's shoulder is examined by a Cubs doctor; Fisherbaugh is likely to return to UH
An illness, an injury and a lack of money have stalled the possible pro baseball careers of three Hawaii players selected in the 2006 Major League First-Year Player draft.
Steven Wright, picked in the second round by the Cleveland Indians, has recovered from a bout with mononucleosis that knocked him out of the NCAA regional when the Hawaii Rainbows were in Corvallis, Ore.
"I was just cleared to start working out Wednesday," said Wright, who plans to sign when the Beverly Hills Sports Council, his agent, and Cleveland work out a satisfactory deal.
The Indians have signed only one of their first 10 picks. They have not reached agreement with their No. 1 selection, left-hander David Huff from UCLA, or their third- and fourth-round picks.
In most cases, the money needed to sign the top pick has an effect on the dollars available for the other draftees.
The Chicago Cubs are taking a cautious approach with Keoni Ruth, the first-team All-West Coast Conference second baseman from the University of San Diego.
The Kamehameha graduate dislocated his left shoulder in NCAA regional play when he dove for a ball.
"The Cubs flew me to Chicago on Tuesday to be examined. The doctor told me there is a small tear, but there is no need to rush into surgery," Ruth said.
"He said they had players in the minor leagues with the same kind of injury who didn't have surgery and are playing. They want me to continue with rehab and they will check me again in a month, month and a half."
The Cubs selected Ruth in the 17th round.
Darrell Fisherbaugh, taken in the 50th round by the Boston Red Sox, is playing for the Anchorage Bucs in the Alaska Baseball League.
Initially, the Red Sox said there was not the amount of money available Fisherbaugh was asking for and he planned to take the summer off and return to Hawaii this fall.
"After the way he pitched against Kansas, I told Darrell we would make him a starter right out of the gate this fall," said UH coach Mike Trapasso. "If that doesn't work, he can always go back to closer."
But, the Red Sox told the junior right-hander to be patient and check back in a couple of weeks to see if the money situation had changed.
That's when Fisherbaugh decided to stay active and headed to Alaska last week.
The Red Sox have signed their No. 1 pick, eight of their first 12 and 17 of the 52 players they drafted. They also signed two pitchers who were undrafted free agents.