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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Baseball notebook: White Sox claim Rios

The Blue Jays received no compensation for Alex Rios. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox, sending him to a contending team and giving Toronto financial flexibility.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi announced the move Monday night, about 30 minutes before the Blue Jays were scheduled to play the New York Yankees. Rios was in the initial starting lineup when he learned the news.

Toronto did not receive any compensation for the two-time All-Star, who is batting .264 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs in 108 games.

The 28-year-old Rios signed a seven-year contract with the Blue Jays in April 2008 that guarantees him over $69 million.

Nats’ Zimmermann in need of surgery

Nationals acting general manager Mike Rizzo says rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann probably needs reconstructive elbow surgery.

Rizzo says that Dr. James Andrews reviewed an MRI exam done on Zimmermann’s right elbow and agreed with a Nationals team doctor that the pitcher should have an operation to repair a ligament.

The team will seek a third opinion before consulting with the 23-year-old Zimmermann and his agent on whether to have the surgery.

Zimmermann is 3-5 with a 4.63 ERA in 16 starts for Washington in 2009, his first season above Double A.

Cardinals’ Wellemeyer may be headed for DL

Todd Wellemeyer’s return to the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation might have to wait indefinitely after the right-hander complained of a sore elbow following a bullpen session.

Manager Tony La Russa said Wellemeyer, 7-9 with a 5.67 ERA for the N.L. Central leaders, could be headed for the 15-day disabled list. Wellemeyer said his elbow bothered him while playing catch the day after a side session and the pitcher said a team doctor diagnosed inflammation and prescribed rest.

Boone back after open-heart surgery

Aaron Boone is back playing baseball, appearing in a minor league game in Texas less than five months after open-heart surgery.

Boone batted second for the Corpus Christi Hooks, a Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Boone, 36, had an operation in late March because of a congenital defect in his aortic valve.