There was a sigh of relief in Brewers camp on Saturday as an
examination of ace pitcher Ben Sheets revealed that the pain which
caused him to leave Thursday's Cactus League game was a back muscle
strain that isn't expected to drastically alter his plans for the
2006 season.

Although the Brewers don't anticipate knowing for at least a week
whether Sheets might be ready to make an Opening Day start, they
take comfort in the outlook that Thursday's setback doesn't appear
to be a major complication.

"It's a strain of a muscle that's taking on more of a workload than
it used to," team doctor William Raasch said. "That's where we are
right now."

Sheets, who tore his right latissimus dorsi muscle on Aug. 26, left
his start on Thursday against Oakland after one-third of an inning
and reported discomfort in that area. Raasch said the soreness came
from the adjoining teres major muscle.

"He's using slightly different muscles to perform the same task,"
Raasch said. "He tore the latissimus [last year], and that pulls
back and heals to the teres major. He's relying on a muscle that
hasn't been used as much."

Sheets will initiate a weight training regimen specifically designed
to further strengthen the teres major muscle and throw with a
program he's comfortable using.

"The throwing program has to be part of it," Raasch said.

Sheets was happy to learn that the exam didn't reveal any serious
setback.

"As far as the progression, I'm lost," Sheets said. "But I could go
throw now. I feel good."

The Brewers want to be cautious with Sheets, but also aggressive
enough to allow him to work through the soreness as he is building
toward regular-season game conditions.

General manager Doug Melvin said the club will have a better feel in
a week whether Sheets is back on track for Opening Day.

"Give him a week to see where he is," Melvin said.

Robert Falkoff is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject
to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.