Around the horn

Francona hospitalized, absent with chest pains

Chest pains forced Terry Francona into a hospital Wednesday. How soon the Boston manager returns to his team remains to be seen.

Francona was taken by ambulance to New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan after experiencing chest tightness in the morning. He underwent a variety of tests, and listened on the radio as the Red Sox rallied for a 7-3 victory over the Yankees for their first win of the season.

Red Sox spokesman Glenn Geffner said Francona, who turns 46 on April 22, was scheduled to be transferred Wednesday night to Boston, where he will remain under the supervision of team doctor Thomas Gill.

The Red Sox would not specify what Francona was tested for or any results.

Johnson requests leave

Four-time Gold Glove winner Charles Johnson requested a leave of absence from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to handle a personal matter.

Johnson, signed Monday as a backup for catcher Toby Hall, was scratched after meeting with manager Lou Piniella before the game.

Jeter taken to hospital

Derek Jeter left the Yankees’ game against Boston after he was hit in the helmet by a pitch and was taken to a hospital for a precautionary CT scan.

The results were normal and Jeter was expected to play Friday night against Baltimore, the Yankees said.

Freel pleads innocent

Cincinnati’s Ryan Freel pleaded innocent to drunken driving just hours after the Reds beat the New York Mets 7-6 in their season opener.

Police arrested Freel on Monday night in northern Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. He was charged with drunken driving, careless driving and having an open container in a motor vehicle.

Clearing the bases

Colorado outfielder Dustan Mohr was placed on the D.L. with a strained left calf. … Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby was placed on the D.L. with a fractured rib. … Rick Ankiel signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.