Rays/MLB

Surgery to keep Varitek out for at least a month

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 3, 2006

BOSTON - Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek is scheduled for surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and is expected to miss at least a month.

"I talked to (the team) about a limited role," he said. "They said, 'Let's get it taken care of. We'd rather have you at 100 percent than 25 percent.' "

Varitek was hurt Saturday when while blocking the plate, the Angels' Mike Napoli slid into him. He aggravated it Monday while rounding second on Coco Crisp's second-inning single.

Varitek, batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs, will be replaced by Doug Mirabelli, and Ken Huckaby was called up from Triple A.

The Baltimore Sun reported the Red Sox called the Orioles about Javy Lopez. Lopez, in the final season of his contract, is unhappy about his limited playing time and has been put on waivers. Baltimore won't find out if he is claimed until this weekend.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Kris Benson felt pain in his right elbow after throwing on the side and might have to go on the disabled list. Bruce Chen, who replaced Benson for Sunday's start, will do so again Friday.

ROYALS: Designated hitter Mike Sweeney, out since May 1 with a herniated disk, could return Tuesday. His rehab assignment at Triple A will go through the weekend, and he will be re-evaluated Monday. Also, catcher Paul Bako was activated after missing 21 games with a partially torn right oblique. He is hitting .230 in 34 games.

TWINS: Left-hander Francisco Liriano said he's fine and likely will start Monday. He was scratched from Wednesday's start because of inflammation in his forearm.

WHITE SOX: Designated hitter Jim Thome and first baseman Paul Konerko remained out and are day to day. Thome missed his third game because of back spasms and tendinitis in his right wrist. Konerko was hit on the left elbow by a pitch Tuesday, but X-rays were negative.

YANKEES: Outfielder Hideki Matsui's original goal of returning Aug. 17 has been ruled out; however, he believes he could be back by the end of the month. Matsui, who broke his wrist May 11, will see a hand specialist today and hopes to be cleared to hit off a tee.

Also, first baseman Jason Giambi sat out a day after leaving with a cramp in his right leg. He is day to day. Second baseman Robinson Cano, out with a strained left hamstring, will begin a rehab assignment tonight at Class A Tampa and could return next week. And Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched in more than 13 months because of various injuries, threw 45 pitches during batting practice. A timetable for a rehab assignment hasn't been determined.

MEETINGS OFF: The owners canceled the quarterly meetings scheduled for next week because there are no urgent items to discuss. The next meetings are scheduled for November.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified August 3, 2006, 07:06:38]