First injury of spring

You can add first basemen to the list of players the Wild Things will have an interest in at tryout camps this weekend.

Nathan Messner, who was the Wild Things' cleanup hitter and first baseman for much of last year, will miss the 2008 season because of a labrum injury. Surgery is needed to repair the shoulder.

As one of the youngest players (21) in the league last year, Messner batted .306 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI.

This leaves a big void in the middle of the Wild Things' lineup. It's possible that Robbie Knapp will move into the starting first baseman's spot. Jacob Dempsey, who put up huge numbers at Winthrop University and played well in the Phillies' system before being released and taking last year off, also could end up at first base.