Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
BOSTON - Nomar Garciaparra has come under renewed scrutiny after a published report raised questions about when the recently traded Boston shortstop hurt his right Achilles' tendon.
Garciaparra has never wavered, saying he was injured when struck by a ball in batting practice before an exhibition game March 5 against Northeastern at Fort Myers.
The Boston Globe reported Thursday that the infielder told a different story to Red Sox officials, who never contradicted his story. One source said he was told Garciaparra was injured before spring training.
Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, called the assertion "totally, unequivocally, positively false."
Garciaparra, a five-time All-Star, was traded to the Cubs on Saturday.
"I've heard so much made up about me, I don't even want to comment," Garciaparra said Thursday. "I've addressed all those things. I'm here now, and that's all I'm focused on."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein declined to comment on the Globe's report Wednesday night. They said the Red Sox had agreed with Tellem the night before to halt a public dispute that centered on Garciaparra's physical condition and why he and the team could not come to a contract agreement to keep him in Boston.
Epstein earlier said he traded Garciaparra after the shortstop said he probably would miss significant playing time this month because of the injury. The day after the trade, Garciaparra denied saying that, and he repeated his denials to Chicago reporters.
Garciaparra played the first game of the exhibition season against the Twins on March 4 a day before he said he was hit by the ball.