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Griffey took risk by early return from shoulder injury

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. knew he was taking a chance by returning to the Cincinnati Reds before his right shoulder was fully healed.

Griffey said on Tuesday that the team's doctor had warned him that there was lingering damage from April 5, when he dislocated the shoulder while trying to make a diving catch.

Doctors advised that he probably would require surgery to fix tears in the shoulder, but gave him the option of trying to come back and play and have the procedure after the season.

Griffey returned 5 1/2 weeks after the injury, even though the shoulder was still bothering him, and played until he tore a tendon in his right ankle on July 17, requiring season-ending surgery.

He chose to go ahead and have the shoulder surgery on Monday. Dr. Timothy Kremchek repaired a torn labrum and a significant tear in the rotator cuff. Kremchek knew Griffey had the tears, but couldn't be sure of the extent until he operated.

Griffey said Tuesday that he was aware of the tears in the shoulder when he returned to the lineup in May.

"After I hurt my shoulder, I was determined to play if I could," Griffey said. "I knew it was risky. They told me I might be able to rehab it, and I did to the point where I could play. I wasn't going to have surgery at that point just to have surgery, but after I hurt my ankle we decided to go ahead and do the shoulder."

He hit .247 in 53 games this season with 13 homers and 26 RBIs. He has been hurt in all four seasons since coming to his hometown team, limiting him to an average of 82 starts per season.

Red Sox place Giambi on DL, claim McCarty

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox placed backup first baseman Jeremy Giambi on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with left shoulder tendinitis and claimed outfielder David McCarty on waivers from the Oakland Athletics.

Giambi has not played since going 0-for-3 in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He has played in just 50 games this season, batting only .197 with five homers and 15 RBI.

McCarty, who hit .269 with two homers in eight games with the Athletics before being released, will join the Red Sox in time for Tuesday's contest against the Anaheim Angels.

McCarty, 33, is a career .236 hitter with 31 homers and 150 RBI in 512 games with Minnesota, San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Oakland.

Reds call up recently acquired Valentine

He takes the place of right-handed starter Jimmy Haynes, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a bulging disc in his lower back.

The Reds got Valentine and right-handers Aaron Harang and Joe Bruksch from Oakland last Wednesday in a trade for outfielder Jose Guillen. All three were assigned to the minors.

Valentine made one relief appearance for Class AAA Louisville, pitching two scoreless innings on Saturday. He was 1-3 with four saves and a 4.82 ERA in 40 relief appearances for Class AAA Sacramento before the trade.

Missouri fans to vote for favorite team

A mock election will be held at the Missouri State Fair beginning Thursday. In keeping with the spirit of the voting, Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt waived the requirement that voters be at least 18 years old.

"Few topics elicit as many impassioned statements in Missouri since the 1985 World Series," said Blunt, referring to the series in which the Royals beat the Cardinals. "Missouri baseball fans are among the most loyal and energetic of any professional sports.

The Cardinals are 14-13 against the Royals since interleague play began in 1997.

Geography might play into the election because the fair is being held in Sedalia, which is twice as far from St. Louis as it is from Kansas City.

 

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