 10/15/2003 5:19 PM ET
Ramirez cleared to pitch
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By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
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PEORIA, Ariz. -- Horacio Ramirez was cleared by Team USA pitching coach Dave Stewart to make his scheduled start on Friday after the Braves' left-hander threw for about 10 minutes in the bullpen at Peoria Stadium before Wednesday's game against the Peoria Saguaros.
Ramirez, who has been taking antibiotics for an upper respiratory problem, missed Tuesday's game at Mesa, his first with the team. He is projected to be the No. 1 starter on an American squad that must snag one of the top two spots next month in the Americas Qualifying Event to make the eight-team baseball tournament in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
"I've been sick for about a week," Ramirez said before taking the mound on Wednesday. "Yesterday was my worst day, actually, where I couldn't show up at the stadium. I was coughing a little bit and had a fever. There was no energy, really. I had nothing in me. I was just drained."
Stewart was glad to certify Ramirez's availability, considering the fact that Team USA is already down one pitcher -- reliever Jeremy Fikac, who reported some improvement from the right elbow tendinitis that has put him on the bench for the time being.
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