A balk from Soriano

Alfonso Soriano refused to play the outfield for the Washington Nationals in what was supposed to be his spring training debut last night, and general manager Jim Bowden said his biggest offseason acquisition will go on the disqualified list if he doesn't agree to switch positions this week.

''The player refused to take the field, which we believe is a violation of his contract," Bowden said.

Soriano, an All-Star second baseman, was listed as batting leadoff and playing left field on a lineup sheet posted in the Nationals' clubhouse before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Viera, Fla.

But when the Nationals took the field in the top of the first, Soriano wasn't there. Brandon Watson replaced him in the lineup, playing center field, and Ryan Church shifted from center to left.

The Nationals already have an All-Star second baseman in Jose Vidro, so they told Soriano they want him to move to the outfield, and he indicated he doesn't want to do that. But last night provided his most concrete -- and visible -- objection.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays reliever Shinji Mori sustained a season-ending injury in his spring debut.

Mori tore the labrum in his right shoulder on his third pitch in a minor league game.

A five-time All-Star with the Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League, Mori signed a $1.4 million, two-year contract with the Devil Rays in January. He had been sidelined since the beginning of March because of soreness in his pitching shoulder.

''It's definitely frustrating. He was someone we were looking to to give us a different look out of the bullpen," Devil Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

''Pitchers experience injuries all the time. It's part of our business and a risk that we have to weigh in signing any pitcher. I'm confident he's going to work hard and rehab hard to get back fully healthy. I think we'll see him pitch in a Devil Rays uniform."

Mori said through a translator that it felt like he dislocated his shoulder when he threw the pitch. An MRI determined the labrum was torn, and Friedman said it's an injury that typically sidelines a player for at least 12 months.

''They diagnosed it as an acute injury, something that happened on that pitch," Friedman said.

New York Yankees righthander Jaret Wright will miss his next scheduled start because of back spasms. Wright, competing for a spot in the rotation, hurt himself while fielding bunts Sunday. He was supposed to pitch Thursday; there is a chance he could pitch this weekend if the back responds to treatment. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn't anticipate the problem will prevent Wright from being ready for Opening Day . . . The Seattle Mariners traded lefty Matt Thornton to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Joe Borchard. The 29-year-old Thornton struggled last season with the Mariners, going 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 55 games. He has a 4.82 ERA in 74 career relief appearances with Seattle.