1.   Among his patients was former Red Sox pitcher Steve Avery, who was never the same after straining his oblique muscle while with the Atlanta Braves.

2.   An MRI exam performed on pitcher Scott Schoeneweis confirmed he has a strained oblique muscle in his right side.

3.   As for Luke, the right fielder had a partial tear of the right oblique muscle, which is located just below the rib cage.

4.   Baldwin was scratched from his Wednesday start because of a strained oblique muscle in his left side.

5.   Baldwin was scratched from his Wednesday start with a strained oblique muscle in his left side.

6.   Bourque suffered a strained oblique muscle and Moger a depression fracture in his right elbow as a result of being sandwiched along the boards.

7.   Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood batted left-handed against right-hander Ismael Valdes to protect his tender left oblique muscle.

8.   Devon White already has a strained left quadricep and outfielder Bruce Aven strained a left oblique muscle during batting practice and was scratched from the starting lineup.

9.   He led Denver to its second victory in a row after replacing Bubby Brister, out with a strained oblique muscle.

10.   He had had flabby oblique muscles in his recent fights, which is why he told his handlers he would be sober and trimmer for De La Hoya.