Esteban Loaiza and Eric Milton are struggling to stay healthy at the end of spring training. NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez hasn’t fully recovered from his knee injury, so he’s headed to the disabled list.

Loaiza was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday for the second time in three days, and the Oakland Athletics’ pitcher might begin the season on the disabled list because of tightness in his right shoulder blade.

“My first guess is he would start on the DL,” A’s manager Bob Geren said before a 6-4 exhibition victory over San Francisco. “He couldn’t pitch two days ago and he couldn’t pitch today. I don’t see him pitching in four or five days.”

Loaiza hopes it doesn’t come to that. Although he didn’t even attempt to loosen up in the bullpen, he isn’t ruling himself out to make his first start Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Milton is a key part of Cincinnati’s rotation, but his status is uncertain as well. The left-hander was scheduled to start the team’s final exhibition game Saturday against Florida, but was scratched because of lower back spasms.

Reds manager Jerry Narron said Milton would be evaluated Sunday in Cincinnati. He is slated to start the third game of the season Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.

Kyle Lohse filled in for Milton and gave up a long home run to Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera that landed on the street outside Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. Florida beat a Reds split squad. 6-2.

Meanwhile, Sammy Sosa made the Texas Rangers’ 25-man roster for their opener Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Sosa, out of baseball last season, is fifth in major-eague history with 588 homers. He will begin the season as the Rangers’ designated hitter.

Ken Griffey Jr. went 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the Reds’ designated hitter.

Sergio Mitre, the Marlins’ No. 4 starter, gave up one run and three hits in five innings with six strikeouts. It was a strong tuneup for his season debut Friday against Philadelphia in Florida’s home opener.

At Bradenton, Fla., Sanchez was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ infielder will miss at least four games.

At St. Petersburg, Fla., the Devil Rays optioned second baseman Jorge Cantu to the minors in a surprise move, so he asked to be traded.

Cantu batted .286 with 28 homers and a franchise-record 117 RBIs in 2005, but spent six weeks on the disabled list with a broken left foot last season and slumped to .249 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs.

His departure leaves the starting second-base job to B.J. Upton, one of 11 Tampa Bay players who are on an opening-day roster for the first time.

Elijah Dukes also made the Tampa Bay roster and will start in center field on opening day Monday at Yankee Stadium. Regular center fielder Rocco Baldelli has been slowed by a sore right hamstring and will be used as the designated hitter until he’s ready to play in the field.

At Phoenix, the Arizona Diamondbacks placed pitcher Randy Johnson and outfielders Carlos Quentin and Jeff DaVanon on the 15-day disabled list.

In other games:

Cardinals 5, Indians 1

At Memphis, Tenn., Adam Wainwright allowed one run in five innings and hit a two-run double to help St. Louis win the inaugural Civil Rights Game.

Red Sox 7, Phillies 5

At Philadelphia, Daisuke Matsuzaka struck out seven over four shaky innings for Boston, his last tuneup for his scheduled major-league debut Thursday at Kansas City.

Twins 6, Pirates 4

At Fort Myers, Fla., Joe Mauer returned to the Twins’ lineup following a leg injury and hit a three-run double.

Tigers 3, Yankees 3

At Tampa, Fla., Josh Phelps hit his fourth home run of spring training.

Blue Jays 1, Reds (ss) 0

At Dunedin, Fla., Josh Towers won the final spot in the Blue Jays’ rotation, then allowed four hits over six innings with five strikeouts.

Mariners 2, Cubs 1

At Las Vegas, Jeff Weaver gave up five hits in six scoreless innings of relief.

Devil Rays 8, Mets 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Mike Pelfrey was rocked for eight runs and 10 hits in four innings.

Braves 4, White Sox 2

At Atlanta, Mark Redman allowed two runs – one earned – and five hits in four innings against Chicago.

Orioles 6, Nationals 3

At Washington, Corey Patterson homered for the second consecutive day for Baltimore.

Diamondbacks 12, Padres 8

At Phoenix, Arizona manager Bob Melvin picked Stephen Drew to bat leadoff.

Rangers 4, Brewers 3

At Arlington, Texas, Robinson Tejeda yielded one hit in five shutout innings, and Michael Young homered for the Rangers.

Angels 4, Dodgers 2

At Anaheim, Calif, Maicer Izturis had an RBI single and scored the go-ahead run.