Johnson trade talk downplayed

Randy Johnson’s future remained uncertain Friday night, with his agent and the Yankees downplaying a report that the Arizona ace could soon be traded to New York.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to the Diamondbacks earlier this week and was told Johnson was not available, one New York official said on the condition of anonymity.

In addition, Johnson’s agent discounted the rumor. The Big Unit has a no-trade clause in his contract, which extends through 2005.

“No one has asked us to waive the no-trade,” Barry Meister said. “There are no trade discussions going on. I think it’s just pathetic by the media.”

The New York Daily News quoted an anonymous source close to Johnson who said the 40-year-old left-hander would waive his no-trade clause to move from the last-place Diamondbacks to a contender — possibly the Yankees, who have openly coveted baseball’s best strikeout pitcher.

Johnson wasn’t available for comment before starting against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. Neither was Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., who previously has said he wants to keep Johnson.

Johnson was 10-6 with a 2.90 ERA entering his start against the Giants. The five-time Cy Young Award winner earned his 10th trip to the All-Star game last week, but the Diamondbacks have been one of baseball’s worst teams this season.

He threw a perfect game earlier this season against the Atlanta Braves. Johnson also got his 4,000th strikeout last month against San Diego, becoming just the fourth pitcher to reach the milestone.

Johnson pitched only five innings against the Giants on Friday night and left trailing 6-3. He allowed six hits and three walks, striking out six — but San Francisco jumped ahead when Luis Gonzalez dropped Edgardo Alfonzo’s bases-loaded liner to left in the fifth. Three runs eventually scored.

Indians’ Escobar out for season

Alex Escobar’s once-promising career has hit another road block.

Escobar has a stress fracture in his right foot and will undergo season-ending surgery, another setback for the 26-year-old outfielder once considered one of baseball’s top prospects.

“I feel for him,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said Friday. “I know how hard he has worked and all the trials and tribulations he has gone through. It’s just another distraction for him.”

Escobar, who played 46 games for Cleveland this season before being sent to Triple-A Buffalo, will have surgery on the navicular bone, which is on the top of his foot.

The Indians expect him to be ready for the start of spring training in February.

Thomas to go on disabled list

The Chicago White Sox plan to put designated hitter Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list today because of inflammation in his left ankle.

The White Sox learned Friday they will lose Thomas, one day after fellow slugger Magglio Ordonez came off the disabled list.

Ordonez missed 36 games after tearing cartilage in his left knee. He had surgery on June 5.

The White Sox will recall outfielder Joe Borchard.

Schilling won’t pitch in All-Star game

Curt Schilling will not pitch in next week’s All-Star game because of pain in his ankle.

“My priority is always the organization,” Schilling said after manager Terry Francona announced the decision. “There’s always an outside chance something could happen if I pitch that would impact my second half and I’m not willing to take that chance.”

Francona said Schilling (11-4) reached the decision after consulting with the team’s medical staff.

If Schilling would have started the All-Star game he would have received a $50,000 bonus.