Red Sox, Ortiz rest after brutal road trip
Manager Terry Francona and the healthy members of the Red Sox finally finished their miserable 2-7 road trip and left the Bay Area to meet the rest of Boston’s beat-up lineup in Beantown.
“They’ll be welcoming us with open arms,” Francona joked of the fans at Fenway Park.
Slugger David Ortiz was to remain at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston until today as a precaution and for further tests on his heart.
“David Ortiz is in the process of undergoing further testing to determine the cause of his symptoms,” Red Sox medical director Thomas Gill said in a statement. “The testing and evaluation will continue throughout the remainder of this afternoon and evening. David will remain in the hospital Wednesday night. He is resting comfortably and is in good spirits.”
Pavano’s season may be over
Carl Pavano won’t pitch for at least two weeks while his broken ribs heal, ending his chances of rejoining the New York Yankees’ starting rotation this year and perhaps finishing his season.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made the decision after the pitcher was examined by team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon.
Pavano, injured in a car accident he initially concealed from the team, wanted to keep pitching through the injury, but Cashman turned him down in a pair of telephone conversations.
If Pavano does return this year, it would be in a relief role.
Cashman also said discipline was possible.
Guillen denies wrongdoing
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen stressed he played no role Tuesday night in the plunking of Delmon Young but scolded some fans and warned the Tampa Bay rookie.
Guillen didn’t like that several Sox fans booed Young from the moment he was introduced in his first major-league game, a 12-9 loss at U.S. Cellular Field.
Guillen, however, also expressed his displeasure at Young for glaring at him before his final at-bat in the eighth inning.
“He came down to hit and looked around and looked at me and I (thought), ‘You don’t want to get hit twice,’ ” Guillen said. “That’s all I’d tell him.”
Around the bases
Hideki Matsui took batting practice for the first time since the New York Yankees left fielder broke his left wrist in May. … The Texas Rangers acquired outfielder Victor Diaz from the New York Mets for minor league catcher Mike Nickeas. … Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano threw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his pitching arm. … The Twins lost leadoff hitter Luis Castillo to a sprained right ankle in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals. … Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi returned to the club after missing Tuesday’s game to be with his pregnant wife and wait out bad weather from Tropical Storm Ernesto.