The Boston Red Sox will begin the season without the services of Nomar Garciaparra, after the All-Star shortstop was placed on the disabled list Wednesday because of an injured right Achilles' tendon.
Garciaparra is expected to miss at least three weeks.
"I don't like missing more time than I anticipated, but the good thing is we know we have a structured program to be able to talk to all the doctors and get everyone on the same page," Garciaparra said.
PHOTO: AP
"My body will tell me when I'm ready. Once that happens it shouldn't take me long to get back in the lineup."
Garciaparra never expected to be back in Boston in the first place.
The Red Sox tried to acquire American League Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez from Texas during the offseason and planned to send Garciaparra to the Chicago White Sox.
But trade talks with the Rangers broke down, Garciaparra stayed put and Rodriguez went to Boston's biggest rival, the New York Yankees.
Doctors said there is no structural damage to Garciaparra's inflamed tendon and almost no risk of this becoming a problem that will trouble him beyond a few weeks. He will rest for three weeks, but can resume upper-body workouts in seven days.
"I'm disappointed for us and for him," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "The hope is that we have a good team surrounding him and we don't let it affect our wins and losses. But he's a very good player right in the middle of our lineup. So to say that we wouldn't miss him, we would be lying."
Garciaparra hit .301 with 28 home runs and 105 RBIs last season and has a .323 career average. The two-time AL batting champion is eligible to become a free agent after the season -- one reason the Red Sox tried to trade for Rodriguez.
Boston will be without two key regulars when the season starts. Right fielder Trot Nixon is expected to be sidelined until early May with a lower back problem.
The Red Sox also put right-handers Kim Byung-hyun (strained right shoulder) and Reynaldo Garcia (right elbow surgery) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.
Francona will shuffle his lineup for Sunday's season opener at Baltimore by moving Pokey Reese from second base to shortstop, starting Mark Bellhorn at second and batting David Ortiz in Garciaparra's cleanup spot.
Elsewhere, Royals closer Mike MacDougal will begin the season on the disabled list because of a stomach virus that caused him to lose 5 pounds and drained his strength. MacDougal saved 27 games as a rookie last year, but hasn't pitched since March 13.
"We can backdate it so he would still be eligible to come off April 10," general manager Allard Baird said. "I would like for him to have at least three games in the minor leagues."
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Paul Shuey will open the season on the disabled list and is expected to miss at least six weeks after rupturing a tendon in his right thumb Wednesday.
"He was avoiding a throw," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "He went down and put his hands down, and his thumb went into the ground."
Cleveland acquired left-hander Jeriome Robertson from Houston for two minor league outfielders.
Robertson led big league rookies with 15 wins last season but was bumped from the rotation when the Astros signed Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens.
``He will start for us at some point this year,'' Indians GM Mark Shapiro said.
Baltimore left-hander Omar Daal will miss at least three months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.
Also, the Dodgers released outfielder Bubba Trammell, Pittsburgh cut left-hander Joe Beimel, Florida released outfielder Brian Banks and Atlanta cut outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.
Wednesday was the last day to release players with non-guaranteed contracts without paying their full 2004 salaries. The released players get 45 days' termination pay.
In Tokyo, the Yankees wrapped up their season-opening series against Tampa Bay with a 12-1 victory. Hideki Matsui thrilled his hometown fans with a two-run homer, and Jorge Posada hit a three-run shot from each side of the plate.
Tigers 6, Braves 3
At Lakeland, Florida, Tigers right-hander Jason Johnson expects to be ready to start opening day despite leaving after two innings with a blister on his middle finger.
Blue Jays 5, Reds 1
At Sarasota, Florida, Jimmy Haynes reassured Cincinnati that he's ready for the rotation, pitching five shutout innings.
Pirates 8, Red Sox 8
At Fort Myers, Florida, David Ortiz hit a wind-blown two-run single ahead of Ellis Burks' two-run homer.
Astros 3, Indians 2
At Kissimmee, Florida, Roy Oswalt completed a solid spring with seven strong innings. Cleveland center fielder Milton Bradley was pulled for not running hard on a popup and left the ballpark in a cab before the game was over.
Marlins 9, Orioles 6
At Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Abraham Nunez went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Nunez has eight homers this spring, a Marlins record.
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