Rays/MLB

Red Sox slugger sent to hospital for second time

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 30, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif. - Red Sox slugger David Ortiz on Tuesday was hospitalized in Boston for the second time this month.

Ortiz, hitting .287 with 47 homers and 121 RBIs, felt heart palpitations Aug. 19 and again before Monday's game. After his first episode, he was released after an overnight stay.

"We really don't feel he's going to keel over," manager Terry Francona said before Tuesday's game. "We're not going to jeopardize his health."

Earlier Tuesday, the Red Sox sent Manny Ramirez and Wily Mo Pena home for medical tests.

Ramirez, hitting .326 with 34 homers and 100 RBIs, has played in only one of Boston's past five games because of a sore right knee. Pena, who has 11 homers and 38 RBIs in just 67 games, has missed the past three with soreness in his left wrist.

Oswalt signs extension

HOUSTON - Roy Oswalt agreed to a $73-million, five-year extension, the biggest multiyear deal Houston has given to a pitcher.

The 2005 NLCS MVP, 10-8 with a 3.25 ERA this season, passed up a chance to become a free agent after the 2007 season. The deal, which has a no-trade clause, will pay the right-hander $13-million for the first two years, $14-million in 2009, $15-million in 2010 and $16-million in 2011.

BRAVES: John Smoltz worked out his differences with general manager John Schuerholz a day after saying he was upset his $8-million option for 2007 hadn't been picked up. Smoltz said he wants to spend the rest of his career with the Braves.

CARDINALS: Centerfielder Jim Edmonds is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome. He crashed into a wall trying to prevent a home run June 19, causing bouts of dizziness and blurred vision. In six plate appearances since Aug. 15, he has struck out five times and walked.

MARLINS: Manager Joe Girardi missed the game to be with his pregnant wife in case Tropical Storm Ernesto strikes. Girardi, whose wife's due date is Sept. 12, said owner Jeffrey Loria suggested staying home.

RANGERS: Pitcher Kip Wells is out for the season with a sprained right foot. Wells, who allowed five earned runs in eight innings over two starts after being acquired from the Pirates, was hurt on an awkward follow-through Aug. 11.

TIGERS: Andrew Miller, the sixth pick in June, was called up from Class A. The left-hander, whom the Rays failed to sign as a third-round pick in 2003, had nine strikeouts in five innings over three games for Lakeland.

TWINS: The Hennepin County Board approved a sales tax increase to help cover the costs of a new out-door stadium. The increase, three cents for every $20, will fund 75 percent of the $522-million project. The team will pay the rest. After heated debate, the measure passed 4-3 and will not go before voters, usually required for tax increases. Protesters attended, and one sign read, "Make Carl Pohlad use his own money," in reference to the Twins owner whom in 2005 Forbes called the 78th-richest American at $2.8-billion.

Also, left-hander Francisco Liriano, out since Aug. 7 with a sore elbow and shoulder, is scheduled to throw from a mound today. He hopes to pitch batting practice next week then pitch for Triple-A Rochester if it makes the playoffs.

YANKEES: Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched in the majors since June 27, 2005, due to injuries, was scratched from tonight's rehab start at Triple A. Pavano broke two ribs in an Aug. 15 car crash he didn't disclose to the team until Monday.

YANKEES-TIGERS: Rain washed out the game with a day-night doubleheader scheduled for today. Jaret Wright, scheduled to start Thursday, will go in Game 2 for New York with Randy Johnson pushed back a day.

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 01:27:01]