Red Sox Ready to Play Some Little Ball

Cleveland Indian bench coach Grady Little was hired Monday as manager of the Boston Red Sox, joining a team with new owners eager to win the franchise’s first World Series title since 1918.

Little replaced interim manager Mike Cubbage, who took over when Joe Kerrigan was fired March 5.

“I do consider myself a lucky man to be able to manage in the major leagues,� Little said when introduced at a news conference.

Little, 52, managed 16 years in the minors for Baltimore, Toronto and Atlanta and was selected manager of the year four times.

Players said Little introduced himself with a handshake.

“He greeted everybody. You could tell he was excited,� first baseman Brian Daubach said. “All the uncertainty is gone. Now we can focus on April 1.�

The team said Little signed a two-year contract with options but wouldn’t give financial details.

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San Francisco Giant pitcher Jason Schmidt was scratched from his first start of spring training because of tightness in his groin.

The Giants said the problem has been bothering him for a while.

Schmidt has pitched only once this spring, throwing two scoreless innings against the Angels last Tuesday.

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Indian pitcher Jaret Wright, coming back from two operations on his right shoulder the last two years, will not pitch for three to five days because of tendinitis.

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Cincinnati pitcher Red Brian Bohanon had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. Also, the Reds optioned Austin Kearns to their triple-A Louisville affiliate