Baseball

Padres lose slugger Nevin for three weeks

By wire services
Published July 6, 2004

SAN DIEGO - The Padres' hottest hitter slouched on a clubhouse couch a few hours before the game Monday, his right leg propped on a coffee table, his knee wrapped and crutches by his side.

Slugger Phil Nevin was in a surprisingly decent mood after arthroscopic surgery earlier in the day that could sideline him for up to three weeks.

"I feel 100 percent better today than I did when I left yesterday just because it was locked yesterday," Nevin said. "It's just amazing what they can do now."

Nevin was hurt breaking out of the batter's box after hitting a single in Sunday's 7-1 win over Kansas City. Doctors shaved a loose flap off the articular cartilage and smoothed fraying of his meniscus.

Nevin, sidelined for a game last week after his knee locked up, was placed on the 15-day disabled list and replaced on the roster by outfielder Xavier Nady, who was recalled from Triple-A Portland.

Ryan Klesko, who went back to leftfield this season, will replace Nevin at first base and as the cleanup hitter. Terrence Long started in left Monday against the Astros.

REWARDS KEEP COMING: The theme for Ken Griffey toward 19-year-old college student Mark Crummley has been: "Because he didn't ask for anything."

And because Crummley didn't ask, he is receiving.

Crummley is the fan who retrieved Griffey's 500th home run ball in Busch Stadium on June 20 and, without prompting, gave it to Griffey.

As another reward, Griffey is giving Crummley and three people of his choice an all-expenses paid trip to the All-Star Game on July 13 in Houston.

Crummley was at Monday's game at Busch Stadium, and Griffey handed him the travel package in the dugout before the game.

Meanwhile, the Reds recalled catcher Corky Miller from Triple-A Louisville to fill the vacancy left by injured first baseman Sean Casey.

BREWERS: Second baseman Junior Spivey had an MRI exam on his injured left shoulder. Results are expected back today.

DODGERS: An MRI exam on right-hander Edwin Jackson showed inflammation in the muscle area in his forearm but no structural damage. Jackson lasted 12/3 innings in a spot start Saturday because of discomfort.

INDIANS: Outfielder Ryan Ludwick and catcher Josh Bard were activated the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Ludwick is coming back from offseason knee surgery and could rejoin the team by the end of July. Bard has spent the season trying to recover from a serious groin injury. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated left-hander Scott Stewart for assignment and transferred right-hander Joe Dawley from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

RANGERS: Centerfielder Laynce Nix, out with a sprained right shoulder since June 14, aggravated the injury on a rehabilitation assignment for Double-A Frisco on Saturday and left the game after two at-bats. ... Outfielder Brian Jordan, out since May 25 with a sprained left knee, will go to Arizona to play in simulated games with the rookie league team.

YANKEES: The team officially filed a protest with the commissioner's office over a disputed play in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Mets. Manager Joe Torre played the game under protest after Jorge Posada was called out for interference in the eighth when he was hit while running to second on Miguel Cairo's grounder. Umpires ruled second baseman Ty Wigginton still had a chance to field the ball.

[Last modified July 6, 2004, 01:00:19]