Some of baseball’s best sluggers can’t seem to stay healthy in spring training.

Gary Sheffield, Phil Nevin and Jim Thome are all sidelined because of injuries, hoping to return in time for opening day.

Monday, the Yankees sent Sheffield, their new right fielder, to New York to have his right thumb examined by a hand expert.

Hurt in a spring training game last weekend, he could be sidelined up to three months if doctors determine there is a torn ligament and surgery is needed.

“Now I’m officially worried about it,” general manager Brian Cashman said in Tampa, Fla.

At first, the Yankees thought Saturday’s injury was just a bruise. But then Sheffield had an MRI on Sunday.

His worst-case scenario would be surgery, and best-case scenario would be a return for spring training games, according to Cashman.

Nevin, San Diego’s cleanup hitter, has a strained left shoulder and is expected to miss about four weeks, a timetable that could have him back by opening day.

The Philadelphia Phillies got good news about Thome, who could return in three weeks from a broken middle finger on his right hand and probably won’t miss opening day.

Thome injured his throwing hand Friday during fielding drills in Clearwater, Fla., and he was examined by a doctor Monday.

“I’m very relieved,” Thome said. “You prepare so hard for spring training. It’s unfortunate this happened. I will do everything possible to get back and do my best.”

In exhibition games:

Angels 5, Mariners 3

At Peoria, Ariz., Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer for Anaheim.

Marlins 8, Expos 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Josh Beckett threw four scoreless innings.

Tigers 8, Astros 4

At Kissimmee, Fla., Eric Munson homered and Nate Cornejo pitched three scoreless innings to lead Detroit.

Indians 7, Braves 3

At Kissimmee, Fla., Brandon Phillips’ two-run double helped Cleveland improve to 4-0.

Orioles 14, Dodgers 5

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Darnell McDonald and Mike Fontenot homered for the Orioles.

Blue Jays 6, Pirates (ss) 5

At Dunedin, Fla., Alexis Rios hit a leadoff homer and drove in three runs for Toronto.

Red Sox (ss) 5, Phillies 3 (ss)

At Clearwater, Fla., Brian Daubach hit a two-run double and six Boston pitchers combined for eight shutout innings.

Red Sox (ss) 9, Twins (ss) 4

At Fort Myers, Fla., Boston’s backups scored seven runs in the eighth inning with the help of three walks and a wild pitch.

Reds (ss) 6, Devil Rays 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Austin Kearns, Corky Miller and Adam Dunn homered.

Reds (ss) 9, Pirates (ss) 5

At Bradenton, Fla., Brandon Larson homered.

Mets 6, Cardinals 4

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kaz Matsui went 0-for-2 in his Mets debut, but Mike Piazza was 3-for-3 with a three-run homer.

Twins (ss) 13, Yankees 2

At Tampa, Fla., Sean Douglass pitched two scoreless innings and Rob Bowen drove in three runs for Minnesota.

Rangers 4, Padres 2

At Surprise, Ariz., Alfonso Soriano had two hits and two RBIs for Texas.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 4

At Tucson, Ariz., Randy Johnson gave up two runs in three innings.

Cubs 8, Brewers 4

At Mesa, Ariz., Sammy Sosa hit his first home run of the spring.

White Sox 6, Athletics 5

At Tucson, Ariz., Magglio Ordonez had an RBI single in his first game back from a heel injury, Joe Crede homered and Chicago’s starting lineup scored all six runs.