Report: Giambi to be tested for fatal illness

BRISTOL, Conn. (Ticker) -- The parasite problem that has slowed New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi could be more serious than first thought.

The Newark Star Ledger is reporting that Giambi is being tested for a potentially fatal condition sometimes caused by internal parasites and could miss the rest of the season.

The newspaper reported that Giambi, who last played in Friday's 8-7 win over the Boston Red Sox, will return to New York on Tuesday for further tests.

Giambi's trainer, Bob Alejo, told the newspaper that Giambi is being tested for a parasite called entamoeba histolytica, which can be transmitted through water and food and get embedded in the intentistal lining, making it difficult to detect.

"He told me, 'I don't care about hitting .220, I just want to feel better,'" Alejo told Newsday. "He's exhausted, and it's not getting any better."

Giambi has been tested for cancer and HIV in the past week. Both those tests came back negative.

The 34-year-old Giambi has played in only 70 games this season, batting .221 with 11 homers and 36 RBI. He has gone hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

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