Notes from Friday's games
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Royals-Red Sox
KANSAS CITY: 3B Mark Teahen underwent surgery to repair an injured right shoulder. Manager Buddy Bell expects Teahen to be healthy by spring training. "Everything worked out fine," Bell said. "He should be able to start throwing in December or January." Teahen is hitting .290 and leads the Royals with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. ... LHP Mark Redman was pushed back a day in the rotation and will pitch Sunday. RHP Luke Hudson will start in his place Saturday. Hudson is 6-2 since moving into the starting rotation July 7. ... LHP Odalis Perez struck out the side in the first inning and two more batters in the second. Before the game, Bell said Perez is a big part of the Royals' future plans. "He had a track record there for a couple years of being really good," Bell said. "He's still a young kid and we're hoping he finds himself and is happy here."
BOSTON: The Red Sox released C Javy Lopez. They acquired Lopez on Aug. 4 from Baltimore for a player to be named to fill in for C Jason Varitek, who missed August with a knee injury. Varitek was activated on Sunday, and Lopez hasn't played since. To replace Lopez on the roster, Boston purchased the contract of C Ken Huckaby from Triple-A Pawtucket. ... Manager Terry Francona said RHP Curt Schilling could return Thursday. Schilling has missed two starts with a mild strain on his right side. ... Francona expects RHP Tim Wakefield to pitch in Baltimore on Wednesday. Wakefield hasn't started a game since July 17 with a stress fracture in his rib cage area. Wakefield threw a five-inning simulated game on Wednesday.
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Yankees-Orioles
NEW YORK: OF Gary Sheffield (wrist) was cleared to hit off a tee over the weekend. Sheffield was put on the 15-day disabled list in April and again in June with left wrist problems before being operated on June 13 to repair a torn tendon. "He's healed a little bit quicker than everybody thought he would, which I think surprised everybody but him," manager Joe Torre said. ... RHP Mike Mussina, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday, will next pitch on Tuesday at home against Tampa Bay. Mussina complained of soreness after throwing five innings on Tuesday, the day after he was activated from the 15-day DL. ... RHP Mariano Rivera, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 31 because of a stiff elbow, played catch before the game.
BALTIMORE: The Orioles sent RHP Rodrigo Lopez to the bullpen rather than make him part of a six-man rotation with Erik Bedard, Adam Loewen, Hayden Penn, Kris Benson and Daniel Cabrera. "It was very difficult to go with six guys on seven days' rest," manager Sam Perlozzo said. "(Lopez) is the only one that can pitch out of the 'pen, and quite honestly, we could use some help there." ... To fortify the bullpen, the Orioles recalled RHP Sendy Rleal and LHP Brian Burres from Triple-A Ottawa. To make room for Burres on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated C Danny Ardoin for assignment. Ardoin went 1-for-13 after being claimed on waivers from Colorado on Aug. 30.
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Athletics-Devil Rays
OAKLAND: Manager Ken Macha said OF Mark Kotsay was not available because of back spasms. Kotsay missed six straight games Aug. 7-13 with back spasms, and has sat out 13 of the past 29 games. Head trainer Larry Davis said Kotsay's playing status will be determined on a day-by-day basis. ... RHP Kiko Calero returned to the Bay Area to be his wife, who gave birth to the couple's son. He could miss a few games. "I talked to him today," Macha said. "He's happy. Everything is good."
TAMPA BAY: LHP Casey Fossum underwent shoulder surgery. Manager Joe Maddon said Fossum should be ready for spring training. ... OF-DH Jonny Gomes rejoined the team after having shoulder surgery earlier this week. He expects to resume hitting and throwing by January. ... RHP Travis Harper (right shoulder) is making progress in his rehab program and could pitch before the season ends. ... The Devil Rays are hosting a Negro Leagues celebration Saturday. Hall of Famer Monte Irvin and Sean Gibson, the grandson of Hall of Famer Josh Gibson, are among those scheduled to take part. Also expected to attend is 110-year-old Silas Simmons, who played in the pre-Negro Leagues era for the Philadelphia Blue Ribbons.
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