Romero, 33, said that the doctor who performed flexor tendon surgery on him last October projected that he would be "100 percent ready to [pitch in spring training games] by the second week in March," which would leave him enough time to be active on opening day, or shortly thereafter.
Romero has been long-tossing since Jan. 16, and said that he felt no pain. His surgeon, David Altchek, will speak with team trainers in a few days to determine a plan for the rest of spring training, and a timetable for his return.
The procedure last autumn ended a season that began with a 50-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. Romero tested positive for androstenedione, a banned substance that the pitcher maintains he ingested unknowingly through an over-the-counter supplement.
Last summer, Romero filed suit against GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, and the supplement's manufacturer, ErgoPharm Inc. The suit claimed that the store employees and drug manufacturer were negligent in misrepresenting the product as free of banned substances.
"It's still out there, and right now it seems very positive," Romero said yesterday of the lawsuit.
The pitcher believes that his suspension, and the resulting stop-and-start nature of his season, contributed to his injuries. He also faulted the World Baseball Classic for causing elbow issues. That controversial tournament forces pitchers into intense competition in early March, often before they are fully ready.
"I haven't said this before, but you won't see me playing in another World Baseball Classic," he said. "I'll tell you that much. I apologize to the fans or whoever expected me to play, but I'm not playing in another baseball classic. No way. You can quote me on that."
