Injury relapse ends season for Tigers closer

By wire services
Published July 20, 2005

CHICAGO - Tigers closer Troy Percival likely will miss the rest of the season with a partial muscle tear in his right forearm.

Percival, signed by Detroit during the offseason, went on the disabled list for the second time this season Friday retroactive to July 10. Dr. Lewis Yocum on Monday conducted an MRI exam and said the right-hander must rest for two months. It is not known if he will need surgery.

"We have some depth, but we've lost a part of that," Tigers manager Alan Trammell said Tuesday. "We're fortunate we still have some pretty good arms."

Right-hander Kyle Farnsworth will take over the closer's role, Trammell said.

MANAGER APOLOGIZES: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire met with baseball's head disciplinarian, Bob Watson, regarding his postgame tirade about umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

Gardenhire said he was sorry for the way he handled the situation, which began with an ejection for arguing Wendelstedt's high strike call and ended with a profanity-filled rant to reporters after Monday's loss to Baltimore.

"That's the wrong thing to do," Gardenhire said. "No matter how frustrated you get, you should never let it get to that point."

BOSOX GET BUSY: The slumping Red Sox began an overhaul, acquiring infielder Tony Graffanino from the Royals and outfielder Adam Hyzdu from the Padres. Boston also designated left-handed reliever Alan Embree for assignment.

The Red Sox sent Class A left-hander Juan Cedeno and Triple-A outfielder Chip Ambres to Kansas City and Triple-A right-hander Scott Cassidy to San Diego for Hyzdu.

DEAL HITS SNAG: The Orioles remain in talks with Florida on a potential trade for right-hander A.J. Burnett, but the deal could be in jeopardy because of Baltimore's unwillingness to absorb most of the contract of Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The six-player deal, which would send Orioles pitching prospect Hayden Penn, outfielder Larry Bigbie and reliever Jorge Julio to the Marlins for Burnett, Lowell and a minor-league outfielder, was still being negotiated, the Sun reported.

BENITEZ PROGRESSING: Giants closer Armando Benitez might be back sooner than expected. The right-hander went on the disabled list April 27 with a serious hamstring injury and was expected to be out at least four months. But his progress during rehabilitation has the club thinking he might beat his projected return in early September.

LARKIN COURTED: Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is trying to lure special assistant and former All-Star Barry Larkin out of retirement to replace Cristian Guzman at shortstop, ESPN.com reported. Guzman is batting .189 in his first season with the team.

A'S: DH Erubiel Durazo is scheduled for season-ending left elbow surgery and is expected to be sidelined another nine to 12 months.

CARDINALS: Third baseman Scott Rolen was back in the lineup a day after strength tests showed no significant problems in his surgically repaired left shoulder.

YANKEES: Outfielder/DH Ruben Sierra went on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury sustained on a go-ahead hit the night before. Infielder Andy Phillips was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. ... Right-hander Carl Pavano, on the disabled list since July 7 with right shoulder tendinitis, could return to the starting rotation next week.

[Last modified July 20, 2005, 00:58:13]