Brian

Boehringer

The Rockies are also looking at Jay Witasick, Chad Durbin and Mike Fetters. Witasick should get a major league deal.

Boehringer missed the final four months of last season following shoulder surgery. The Rockies would like to sign him to a minor league deal if he appears to be healthy.

Boehringer was a bust after getting his multiyear deal from the Pirates, but there are worse bets going to spring training with other teams. He’ll get signed eventually.

“We’re just being cautious,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “If the season opened [today], Bo could pitch. I just don’t want to take any chances. I’ve been down that road before. He’s throwing as good as he’s had since I’ve been here.”

Boehringer was awful last year and hasn’t been any better this spring, but since he’s due $2 million, he’ll have a spot in Pittsburgh’s bullpen.

The program, outlined by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Alabama earlier this week, will last for 10 days before Boehringer throws off the mound.

He was placed on the 60-day DL Friday. In attempting to come back from right shoulder problems, Boehringer had a setback throwing off the mound last week. He will see Dr. James Andrews Aug. 12. Even if he doesn’t need surgery, there likely isn’t enough time for him to come back and pitch.

Boehringer said he hasn’t felt any pain or had any setbacks in his rehab, but the real test will come tomorrow when he sees how his shoulder rebounds from the mound session.

Boehringer, who missed the final four months with a partially torn labrum, receives a $300,000 buyout. He isn’t likely to receive any guarateed contract offers this winter.

Pirates GM Dave Littlefield should have known it several months ago, but he has to realize it now: Boehringer types should be signed to minor league contracts and let go when they get expensive. Instead, the Pirates signed Boehringer to a two-year, $3.8 million contract after his surprising 2002.