THE SIDELINES : Penguins’ Lemieux Working Out

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux, inactive since developing a lower back infection in September, began a twice-daily workout program today.

Lemieux, the two-time NHL scoring champion, is expected to split his workouts between the Civic Arena, where the Penguins play, and a therapist’s office near his suburban Pittsburgh home.

Dr. Charles Burke, the team orthopedist who has been overseeeing Lemieux’s recovery, said the best-case scenario has Lemieux returning to the lineup after the All-Star break in late January.