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Schilling has broken right hand

Compiled from Times wires
Published June 4, 2003

PHOENIX - Diamondbacks ace Curt Schilling has a broken right hand, another in a string of injuries for the two-time defending NL West champions.

Schilling was injured when he was hit in the hand twice Friday in San Diego. He stayed in the game after Ramon Vazquez's comebacker hit him on the index finger on the opening pitch, but he left after Sean Burroughs' line drive hit him on the back of the right hand with two outs in the seventh.

Burroughs' hit did the damage, Schilling said.

An emergency room doctor said X-rays were negative. The hand did not improve, however, and trainer Paul Lessard said a spot on the X-ray was suspicious, so a followup MRI exam was taken Tuesday. It revealed a hairline fracture and a bone chip in the third and fourth metacarpals.

"Over the last 72 hours, I told him (Lessard) something just wasn't right," Schilling said. "The swelling wasn't going away. It was not getting better. It was probably getting worse. Today, I didn't expect a break. I was a little concerned there might be some kind of ligament damage."

Schilling will be placed in a removable splint for three weeks before he can begin rehabilitation throwing. Lessard would not speculate when Schilling might return, but manager Bob Brenly said it could be right after the All-Star break.

Jeter named Yanks captain

CINCINNATI - Derek Jeter was at a loss to explain the timing for one of his greatest honors.

The shortstop, who is synonymous with the Yankees' recent championship run, was named their 11th team captain before the start of a series in Cincinnati.

The honorary title wasn't a surprise. The way it was bestowed, and where, was curious.

Instead of waiting for the Yankees to return home to introduce him as captain, owner George Steinbrenner informed Jeter of his decision during a phone call Tuesday.

Why not wait until they got home?

"You've got me, really," Jeter said. "He just told me it's something he's been thinking about a lot lately and this is the right time."

Steinbrenner is the only person in the organization who can name a captain, and he suggested in the offseason that Jeter wasn't ready to assume the title that had been vacant since Don Mattingly retired in 1995.

Steinbrenner also made news by criticizing schedule makers and complaining his team is treated unfairly.

The New York Times reported Steinbrenner is unhappy about New York's road trip this week, when interleague games begin. His problem: While the Yankees are in Cincinnati and Chicago, the Red Sox play Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, two of the three worst teams in the NL.

"I just hope we play well against the National League clubs," Steinbrenner told the Times. "I don't think the schedule is fair."

The Yankees play three games each against the Reds and Cubs, who lead the NL Central. New York doesn't face the Pirates or Brewers this season.

RAINOUT RESCHEDULED: The Indians have rescheduled Saturday's rainout against the White Sox as part of a day-night doubleheader July 12.

BRAVES: Centerfielder Andruw Jones and catcher Javy Lopez were scratched from the starting lineup because of lingering injuries, Jones with a hyperextended left knee and sore right shoulder and Lopez with a sore right hamstring. Jones pinch-hit and hit the winning homer in the ninth.

BREWERS: Milwaukee extended the contract of infielder Enrique Cruz for two years.

INDIANS: Local officials have ended efforts to lure the team to a new spring training site in Fort Myers and said they want to focus on keeping the Red Sox and Twins there. The decision by Lee County and the city ends a two-year courtship of the team after officials decided they couldn't afford to build the training complex the team wanted.

METS: First baseman Mo Vaughn, sidelined since April with knee problems, has decided not to have surgery for at least five weeks. "We're going to take this thing day by day," Vaughn said.

RANGERS: Right-hander Alan Benes reported to Triple-A Oklahoma City a day after he missed a scheduled start.

RED SOX: A small growth removed from the nose of right-hander Derek Lowe is not cancerous.

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