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Around The American League

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 28, 2001

Garciaparra expects to miss 2 1/2-4 months after surgery

FORT MYERS -- Nomar Garciaparra is likely to miss at least the first 21/2 months of the season, and possibly up to four months, because of an injured right wrist.

The Red Sox shortstop said Tuesday the probability of surgery is "extremely high." The two-time defending AL batting champion, who split a tendon in the wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Baltimore's Al Reyes in September 1999, planned to meet with the team doctor Tuesday or today.

"It seems like we've kind of exhausted a lot of our options right now," Garciaparra said.

Though no final decision has been made, Garciaparra sounded as if he were resigned to an operation. He hasn't had an at-bat this spring.

"It's going to be hard. It's going to be hard not being part of baseball, period," he said. "You're watching your team play, and you want to be out there with them."

The loss of the three-time All-Star would be a huge blow to the team's post-season hopes. Boston also will start the season without third baseman John Valentin, who's trying to come back from knee surgery, and pitcher David Cone, who has a sore shoulder.

Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette has said Lou Merloni or Mike Lansing would replace Garciaparra. Manager Jimy Williams said Craig Grebeck also is being considered.

Meanwhile, outfielder Carl Everett missed the team bus for the second time this spring and was sent home by Williams before Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Everett, who was in the starting lineup, arrived at Legends Field in a private vehicle and was scratched by Williams, who has a rule that players must ride the team bus.

Williams said Everett would sit out today's game against the Devil Rays.

ANGELS: Outfielder Tim Salmon, in the lineup for the first time since March 10, went 2-for-3 with a double against the Mariners. He had been sidelined with a strained abdominal muscle. Manager Mike Scioscia used Salmon as his designated hitter but said Salmon would be ready to play rightfield on opening day. ... Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis will face the Rangers at Arlington on opening day Tuesday. Scheduled starter Jarrod Washburn has been sidelined by flulike symptoms. Tests for mononucleosis were negative.

A'S: Left-hander Mark Mulder rebounded from his worst spring outing by allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings against the Giants. "Mark was sharp, especially early," manager Art Howe said. "He threw harder than he has all spring."

INDIANS: Outfielder Juan Gonzalez, who had a rough game when he faced the Tigers last week for the first time since leaving them, was a late scratch from the lineup against Detroit. The team said Gonzalez was sick. ... Manager Charlie Manuel said Bartolo Colon would pitch opening day against Chicago, followed by Chuck Finley and Dave Burba.

RANGERS: Backup catcher Bill Haselman is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery today to remove a bone spur from the back of his right elbow. ... The team purchased the contract of Giants backup catcher Doug Mirabelli.

TWINS: If the team is going to get a privately funded ballpark, the park should be built on a surface parking lot near the Warehouse District, according to a Minneapolis staff report discussed in City Council committees and reported in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. The 11.2-acre site allows convenient access to public transit, has about 7,000 nearby parking spots, is near the Target Center and has an owner who has long plugged it as a good site for a ballpark. The owner, Bruce Lambrecht, has even had schematic drawings created and posted to the Internet (www.urbanballpark.com).

WHITE SOX: Catcher Mark Johnson, who spent all last season with the team, was reassigned to Triple-A Charlotte, meaning Josh Paul will back up Sandy Alomar.

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