Damon’s MRI checks out OK

NOTES

An MRI of Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon’s left shoulder Tuesday showed no structural damage.

Damon didn’t play in Boston’s 6-5 win in 11 innings over Toronto on Monday night. He has played with discomfort since injuring the shoulder on a slide against Baltimore on Sept. 4.

“The report was as good as it could be,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “Structurally there is no damage. I think he bruised that area.”

Francona said Damon will remain in Boston for treatment while the Red Sox finish their Toronto road trip.

Rhodes takes leave

Indians reliever Arthur Rhodes has left the club because of a family illness and will miss the rest of Cleveland’s season, a blow to baseball’s best bullpen and the club’s postseason chances.

“It’s going to be tough without him,” closer Bob Wickman said. “He has been huge for us all year. We’re definitely going to miss him.”

Clearing the bases

White Sox reliever Damaso Marte was in Chicago to have his sore neck examined, and manager Ozzie Guillen said the left-hander probably will go on the disabled list.

“New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield returned to the lineup at Tampa Bay as the designated hitter after missing the previous four games with a left thigh injury.

“Infielder Chris Gomez and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract extension through 2006.

Through Monday, Gomez was hitting .283 with one homer and 17 RBIs.

Prosecutors dropped a drunken driving charge against 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner Dwight Gooden, and he pleaded not guilty to fleeing an officer and a new charge of reckless driving after a traffic stop last month.