Rays/MLB

Washington loses Guillen to season-ending elbow surgery

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 25, 2006

WASHINGTON - Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen will have season-ending surgery today for a torn ligament in his right elbow. The procedure (known as Tommy John surgery) will be done after an MRI exam revealed the full tear.

Guillen, whose contract expires after this season, could miss 8-18 months. He left after making a throw July 18 and hasn't returned. Coming off offseason shoulder surgery, he entered the year with a .276 career average but was at .216 in 2006 with nine homers and 40 RBIs.

Also, a group led by real estate developer Ted Lerner and ex-Braves president Stan Kasten took control, finalizing the $450-million purchase from Major League Baseball.

CUBS: First baseman Derrek Lee went on the DL because of problems with his right wrist. He broke it in a collision with the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal on April 19 and missed 59 games. Chicago started 9-5 but went 19-40 in his absence. In the 20 games since his return, Lee, who last year hit .335 with 46 homers and 107 RBIs, had a homer and four RBIs.

BREWERS: Ben Sheets is expected to be activated from the DL and start tonight. Sheets, who went 10-9 with a 3.33 ERA last year, was 1-3 with a 6.44 ERA before feeling tendinitis in his right shoulder.

WHITE SOX: Reliever Mike MacDougal was acquired from the Royals for two minor-league pitchers. MacDougal, an All-Star in 2003 who converted 21 of 25 saves last year, was activated from the DL on July 13 after straining his right shoulder in spring training. He is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a save in four appearances.

YANKEES: Leftfielder Hideki Matsui, who broke his wrist diving for a ball May 11, took swings off a tee, had a long-toss session and fielded fly balls and grounders in the outfield. A batting practice timetable could be set next week, and the Yankees hope he can return in August.

Also second baseman Robinson Cano, out since June 25 with a sore left hamstring, did agility drills, took batting practice and fielded grounders. He hopes start a rehab assignment next week. And centerfielder Johnny Damon was a late scratch with a sore back and is day to day.

SUSPENSIONS: Five minor-leaguers will miss 50 games for violating the substance-abuse program: Wascar Segura (White Sox), Carlos Fajardo (Reds), Richard Rodriguez (Blue Jays), Alfredo Martin and Jonathan Requena (Twins).

[Last modified July 25, 2006, 01:32:23]