Gonzalez wants only to stay healthy

Back with Indians, slugger to serve as everyday rightfielder; Pettitte throws against ex-teammates

Juan Gonzalez is back in the middle of the Cleveland Indians’ lineup. Andy Pettitte also hooked up with some old friends — the New York Yankees.

Gonzalez won a starting job and will begin the 2005 season as Cleveland’s everyday right fielder, returning to the spot where he had one of his most productive years and adding a powerful bat to the offense.

“Juan brings us a presence,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said Sunday in Winter Haven, Fla.

In making Cleveland’s opening-day roster, the 35-year-old Gonzalez earned a $500,000 bonus. He can make an additional $1.95 million if he reaches incentives based on plate appearances and overall days on the active roster.

His surprising addition also means that Grady Sizemore, the organization’s rising star, will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

“The only pressure I have on me is injuries,” Gonzalez said. “Everything is stay healthy.”

Gonzalez hasn’t played more than 82 games since 2001, when he batted .325 with 35 homers and 140 RBIs for the Indians.

At Tampa, Fla., Pettitte allowed two runs and three hits in four innings against his former team, but the Astros lost, 7-4, to the Yankees.

“It was definitely strange,” Pettitte said. “It was a good day to come and see some of the guys.”

After spending 1995-03 in New York, Pettitte inked with the Astros.

Red Sox 8, Pirates 7

At Fort Myers, Fla., Tim Wakefield allowed one run in six innings, and Boston scored seven times off Mark Redman — six earned.

Indians 6, Devil Rays 3

At Winter Haven, Fla., Gonzalez doubled twice and drove in a run.

Blue Jays 4, Tigers 0

At Dunedin, Fla., Pete Walker and four relievers combined on a one-hitter.

Dodgers 11, Braves 6

At Vero Beach, Fla., Jeff Kent homered, doubled and drove in three runs against Tim Hudson.

Mariners 15, White Sox 9

At Peoria, Ariz., Ichiro Suzuki set a Seattle spring record by getting a hit in his 16th straight game and drove in three runs. Suzuki had two hits in five at-bats and is hitting .518.

Phillies 5, Reds 0

At Clearwater, Fla., Pat Burrell hit a pair of homers, and Randy Wolf pitched five shutout innings.

Cardinals 7, Marlins 3

At Jupiter, Fla., Mark Grudzielanek had three hits, raising his spring-training average to a robust .380.

Mets 9, Nationals 4

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Mike Piazza hit a mammoth home run.

Twins 11, Orioles 3

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Michael Restovich hit a grand slam to cap a seven-run first inning.

Angels 8, Giants 5

At Scottsdale, Ariz., Jarrod Washburn pitched seven sharp innings and had two hits and an RBI.

Padres 9, Cubs 5

At Mesa, Ariz., Eric Young had two triples and three RBIs, and Dave Roberts also drove in three runs.