Lackey will miss out on Opening Day

March 29, 2009 at 12:34AM

Los Angeles Angels ace John Lackey received a cortisone shot in his right elbow in an attempt to relieve the pain in his ailing arm, and it's uncertain when he will pitch again.

Lackey experienced discomfort after last Sunday's start because of tightness in his forearm near the elbow. He continued to feel uncomfortable Thursday and was given an MRI.

Team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum said Saturday that the main concern now is to get the pain out of Lackey's elbow before he'll resume throwing.

"If we get the elbow [pain] down, it could be a couple of weeks," Yocum said, adding there was "no indication" that surgery would be needed.

Lackey won't be the Angels' Opening Day starter for the second year in a row. Last year, he began the season on the disabled list.

Etc. • Catcher Ronny Paulino was traded Saturday for the second time in 24 hours and the third time since December, and he's now with the Marlins. San Francisco sent him to Florida for a minor league pitcher less than a day after he was traded to the Giants from Philadelphia for lefthander Jack Taschner.

• Shairon Martis, 21, and Jordan Zimmermann, 22, have won the last two spots in Washington's starting rotation. Zimmermann will start the year in the minors before his first start against Florida on April 19.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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