Rays/MLB

Red Sox star discloses recent hospitalization

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 26, 2006

SEATTLE - Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said stress and nearly a week of sleeplessness caused dehydration and an irregular heartbeat that landed him in a hospital Aug. 19.

The designated hitter said he was "stressed out about everything," including the Yankees' first three wins of a five-game series against the Red Sox. He spent the night under observation while receiving intravenous fluids, went home Sunday and hit his 44th home run that night.

He said he feels better after getting extra sleep during a West Coast road trip.

"I stress a lot, sometimes," Ortiz, 30, said before Friday's game. "We got to play all those games against New York. There was a lot of stress going on. And then to go out there and receive that (butt) kicking ... I wasn't feeling good. I was beat."

Ortiz added he delayed talking about the episode.

"I didn't want to go back to Boston with people freaking out about something like that," he said. "When something like this comes out, the press wants to get more information. But you just want to get it over with."

CARDINALS: Shortstop David Eckstein, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left-side muscle, said he isn't sure 15 days will be enough to recover. Eckstein, hitting .289 with one home run and 21 RBIs, was injured in a home plate collision with Cubs catcher Michael Barrett on Aug. 18.

A'S: Shortstop Bobby Crosby went on the DL four games after returning from the same lower back strain that cost him 15 games. Manager Ken Macha said he didn't know if Crosby would be back this season.

NATIONALS: Outfielder Alex Escobar dislocated his right shoulder sliding into first trying to avoid being doubled up. An MRI exam today will determine if he needs season-ending surgery.

PIRATES: Shortstop Jack Wilson has a viral syndrome and is day to day. After Thursday's game, Wilson, hitting .272 with eight homers, had a headache, dizziness and was fatigued.

RANGERS: Utilityman Eric Young, 39, was called up from Triple A. The 15-year veteran, who spent 2004 with Texas, signed a minor-league deal Aug. 11. To make room, Pinellas Park High graduate Nick Masset was sent down. In his only game of his second major-league stint, the rookie allowed no runs and one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

ROYALS: Outfielder Reggie Sanders will have season-ending knee surgery. Sanders, 38, hit .246 with 11 homers in 88 games.

UMPS WIN: A federal judge ordered Major League Baseball to pay five umpires a combined $3,106,368. Twenty-two umpires lost their jobs in September 1999 after a failed mass resignation related to collective bargaining. In May 2001, an arbitrator ruled 11 be rehired. In February 2002, Gary Darling, Bill Hohn, Larry Poncino, Larry Vanover and Joe West were rehired, but the courts had to rule on their back pay, interest and medical costs.

[Last modified August 26, 2006, 02:28:28]