Palmeiro names Tejada

NOTES

Rafael Palmeiro told baseball’s arbitration panel that a vitamin he received from Baltimore Orioles teammate Miguel Tejada might have caused his positive test for steroid use.

Palmeiro testified that he received B-12 from Tejada, a person familiar with the grievance hearing said Thursday on condition of anonymity because the proceedings were secret.

“Right now I’m in shock,” Tejada, a former American League MVP, said Thursday night. “I’ve never given anybody steroids before. I’ve been checked out three times already, and I’m clean.”

Griffey opts for surgery

Ken Griffey Jr. is finishing another season prematurely because of injury. This time, it’s an upbeat ending.

The Cincinnati center fielder decided Thursday to give up his attempt to overcome a foot sprain and play again this season. Instead, he’ll have a minor knee operation that has been anticipated for weeks, giving him a head-start on rehabilitation.

Griffey batted .301 with 35 homers and 92 RBIs in 128 games this season.

Clearing the bases

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he might quit after two seasons on the job if he leads Chicago to its first World Series title since 1917. … Red Sox reliever Keith Foulke returned to Boston for an examination on his left knee and a source said he likely done for the season.