Boston’s Foulke has surgery

NOTES

Struggling Red Sox closer Keith Foulke had arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage on his left knee on Thursday, just one development on a busy day of roster shuffling for first-place Boston.

The Red Sox designated outfielder Jay Payton for assignment, activated outfielder Adam Stern from the 60-day disabled list, sent left-hander Lenny DiNardo to Triple-A Pawtucket and traded Ramon Vazquez to Cleveland for Alex Cora in a deal of utility infielders.

Foulke will begin rehabilitation immediately, and team doctor Thomas Gill said recovery from this type of surgery typically takes about six weeks.

Without Foulke, the Red Sox could use Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin and Alan Embree as closers.

•Injured Red Sox ace Curt Schilling pitched a sloppy ninth inning in his first relief rehab appearance for Triple-A Pawtucket, allowing two runs – one earned – and two hits on 14 pitches, including 13 strikes. Schilling struck out two.

Yanks rookie plays center

Less than two weeks removed from Double-A ball, 20-year-old Melky Cabrera made his major league debut as the New York Yankees’ latest solution to their center-field problem.

Cabrera hit ninth against Cleveland, joining another rookie, second baseman Robinson Cano, in the lineup.

To make room, New York put pitcher Carl Pavano on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder and moved infielder Rey Sanchez from the 15- to the 60-day DL.

Cabrera became the first player to make his big-league debut as the Yankees’ starting center fielder since Bernie Williams on July 7, 1991.

Clearing the bases

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed lefty Shawn Estes on the 15-day DL with an injured left foot and called up righty Brandon Medders from Triple-A Tucson. … The Baltimore Orioles activated outfielder B.J. Surhoff from the 15-day DL and demoted outfielder David Newhan to Triple-A Ottawa.