Rivera to undergo shoulder surgery
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Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will have offseason surgery on his sore right shoulder but should be ready to throw by spring training.
Manager Joe Girardi said yesterday that the procedure will shave down calcification of the A.C. joint on the top of Rivera's shoulder. The surgery hasn't been scheduled, but Girardi said it doesn't appear to be a serious injury and there is no structural damage.
"From what I've learned, he's had it the whole year. Has it progressively got worse over the course of the year? I don't necessarily think so," Girardi said. "I think he just feels more comfortable having it done and then not have to deal with it next year."
The 38-year-old Rivera returned to New York last Thursday for an MRI on the shoulder, then rejoined the Yankees in Boston for the last series of their lost season. He earned his 39th save (in 40 chances) Sunday, and finished with a 1.40 ERA, the second lowest of his 14-year career.
Girardi said the date for the surgery and where it will be performed should be set later this week.
For the first time since 1993, the few Yankees who hadn't already done so spent yesterday clearing out their lockers and heading home while baseball pressed on toward the playoffs.
"We're all disappointed," Girardi said, matter of factly. "I'm a firm believer this organization is going to do everything it can to get us back in the Fall Classic next year."
Lohse gets new deal
Kyle Lohse and the Cardinals agreed to a four-year, $41 million contract. The righthander was St. Louis's top pitcher this season, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA over 200 innings.Lohse's new deal calls for a $1.25 million signing bonus and salaries of $7,125,000 next year, $8,875,000 in 2009, and $11,875,000 in each of the final two seasons. He also gets a full no-trade clause.
Black coming back
Bud Black will return as Padres manager despite the club's worst finish in 15 seasons. Black, who has one year left on his contract, will retain most of his staff but will need a new bench coach after San Diego announced Craig Colbert won't be retained . . . Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey will leave the team when his contract expires at the end of the year . . Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee . . . The Phillies sent lefthander Fabio Castro to Toronto to complete the Aug. 30 trade for outfielder Matt Stairs . . . The Pirates fired pitching coach Jeff Andrews and first base coach Lou Frazier . . . Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said bench coach Art Howe and third base coach Matt Walbeck won't be offered contracts for next season.
