Rays/MLB

Tigers 2B Polanco says season is over

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 18, 2006

DETROIT - Just when the Tigers were hoping to have Placido Polanco back in the lineup, the second baseman said his season is over.

"I'm out for the year," Polanco said Sunday.

Polanco went on the disabled list Aug. 16 with a separated left shoulder after making a tumbling catch at Boston. He was expected to be out four to six weeks.

He recently started to hit but was sore after batting practice Saturday, manager Jim Leyland said.

If Polanco is out for the season, and not just reacting emotionally to a possible setback, it would be a blow to the Tigers, whose AL Central lead has slipped from 10 games on Aug. 7 to one.

Though Polanco has only a .325 on-base percentage and .359 slugging percentage, he was hitting .374 with runners in scoring position and is considered an excellent defensive second baseman.

LEE takes leave: Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee could be out for the rest of the season because of his 3-year-old daughter's illness.

Lee had missed the past two games before he said he was taking a leave of absence to be with his wife and child.

"My daughter's lost some vision in one eye and we'll find out more at a later time; we have to go through some more tests," Lee said in a statement. "Right now we just ask for everyone's prayers. We need a miracle, we need your prayers. We need everyone to believe she's going to be okay."

Jada is the only child for Lee and his wife, Christina. Lee fought back tears as he addressed the media, then spoke to the team in private in the clubhouse.

KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT: Rangers catcher Miguel Ojeda has been watching the path of Hurricane Lane intently, with his two young sons just north of where the storm made landfall.

Ojeda's wife, Alma, is with him in Arlington while his sons, ages 2 and 6, are with their grandparents trying to ride out the storm in Mazatlan, Mexico. "Health wise everyone is doing fine," said Ojeda, who added that more than half the city is under water.

GREINKE TO RETURN: The Royals plan to recall right-hander Zack Greinke, their one-time top prospect, from Double-A Wichita on Tuesday and use him in relief.

Greinke, 22, had an impressive debut in 2004, posting a 3.97 ERA, striking out 100 and walking 26 in 145 innings. But his ERA soared to 5.80 in 2005, and he left spring training Feb. 25 to undergo psychiatric counseling.

Greinke joined Wichita in June and finished strong after a rough start. He posted a 4.34 ERA with 94 strikeouts, 27 walks and 12 homers allowed in 105²/₃ innings.

SUTTER HONORED: Bruce Sutter, inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, had his No. 42 jersey retired by the Cardinals. The closer helped pioneer the split-fingered fastball and was a key component on the 1982 World Series championship team. He had 45 of his 300 saves that season and struck out the Brewers' Gorman Thomas for the final out in the World Series.

GAME CANCELED: The game between the Cardinals and Giants in St. Louis was canceled by rain after a delay of 1½ hours and a poor forecast for the rest of the day. It will not be made up unless it becomes necessary to determine a playoff spot.

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 02:21:09]