Rangers lose Hamilton for 4-6 weeks

June 9, 2009

Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton will undergo surgery today to repair a partial tear in an abdominal muscle, a procedure that is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks. "It looks like we'll have a chance to get him back after the All-Star break," said manager Ron Washington. "At least it won't be September." Hamilton was injured May 17 when he crashed into an outfield wall while making a leaping catch. He went on the disabled list last week, and an MRI yesterday confirmed the partial tear . . . News of Hamilton's surgery dampened Washington's day after the Rangers exercised his 2010 contract option . . . With nearly 1.8 million votes, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols leads Phillies second baseman Chase Utley by fewer than 3,000 for top National League All-Star vote-getter through the latest balloting reports. Suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramírez remained fifth among outfielders with 858,353 votes, nearly a quarter-million short of cracking the top three for a starting role. Updated American League voting will be announced today . . . Wade Davis tossed six shutout innings as the Durham Bulls edged the Pawtucket Red Sox, 3-2, at McCoy Stadium . . . Boston College junior first baseman/pitcher Mike Belfiore was named the District 1 Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America . . . Texas is returning to the College World Series for the first time since 2005 after beating TCU, 5-2, in the deciding game of the Austin Super Regional.

Devante Kelly, an 11-year-old Little Leaguer in Brooklyn, N.Y., was struck by a stray bullet as he was sitting on bleachers while waiting for his team photo. Kelly was in stable condition at Brookdale University Hospital. Doctors removed the bullet, which lodged between the boy's skin and skull, and he was expected to recover, his family said. There were no reports of shots fired, and investigators had no motive or suspects. Police were looking into whether the bullet was fired from afar and possibly ricocheted off the bleachers.

According to ESPN, the Vikings reportedly have told Brett Favre to decide this week if he wants to play this year. The network cited two unidentified sources on its website yesterday saying Minnesota coach Brad Childress imposed the deadline on the star quarterback. The Sirius NFL Radio network, however, reported, without citing a source, that a deadline is not in place. ESPN also reported Sunday that Favre had arthroscopic surgery last month on his ailing right shoulder, prompting speculation that he might unretire. Childress and Favre's agent, Bus Cook, did not return messages from the Associated Press . . . The Cowboys say there are no plans to bring back troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. Owner Jerry Jones raised the possibility in a weekend interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, but team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said yesterday the owner told him it wasn't going to happen.

According to his website, Rafael Nadal is having his knees checked by doctors in Barcelona and expects to announce his status for Wimbledon in the coming days. Nadal, a shocking early exit at the French Open, withdrew from this week's Wimbledon tuneup at Queen's Club in London, citing knee trouble . . . Real Madrid announced the signing of Brazilian star Kaka from AC Milan. Madrid gave no financial details but reports said the Spanish club will pay Milan 65 million euros ($92 million) for the midfielder, making it one of the richest deals in soccer history . . . Revolution forward Taylor Twellman was named Player of the Week in Major League Soccer after scoring twice - including his 100th MLS goal - in Sunday's 4-0 win over the New York Red Bulls . . . Former BC and Bruins forward Marty Reasoner re-signed with the Atlanta Thrashers . . . Roy Boe, 79, who owned both the New York Nets of the ABA and the fledgling New York Islanders of the NHL in the 1970s, died in Bridgeport, Conn. . . . Deanna Nolan's 27 points carried the Detroit Shock to an 81-52 home rout of the Los Angeles Sparks in the lone WNBA game . . . BC will induct eight members into its Varsity Club Hall of Fame Nov. 1: Danya Abrams (basketball), Gordie Farkouh (soccer), Antonio Garay (wrestling, football), Becky Gottstein (basketball), Gerry Hamel (baseball), Craig Janney (hockey), Tom McManus (football), and Tom Nalen (football).