CINCINNATI — Pirates closer Matt Capps will be sidelined for approximately eight weeks with a shoulder injury detected Wednesday.
Capps blew save chances in the first two games of a series against the Reds, then flew to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for an MRI on his tender shoulder. The test indicated he has bursitis and tightness that prevents him from getting full extension during his delivery.
General manager Neal Huntington said the 24- year-old right-hander will go on a rehabilitation program for about four weeks, then take another four weeks to get back into pitching shape.
Footnotes.
Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who has been sidelined nearly a month waiting for a ruptured tendon in the middle finger of his right hand to heal, is unlikely to return until after the all-star break.
• Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal will have surgery today to relieve pressure on a disc in his lower back and could be out at least eight weeks.
• Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui could be out until the all-star break as the slugger tries to work his way back from a sore left knee.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo was held out of the Mets’ lineup for the second straight game, hampered by a quadriceps injury.
• Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez is scheduled for surgery Monday on his troublesome left knee, which has sidelined him all season.
• The Athletics placed six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore right shoulder and promoted infielder Wes Bankston from Triple-A Sacramento (Calif.). Also, the Athletics and prized 16-year-old pitching prospect Michael Inoa agreed to a minor-league contract with a $4.25 million signing bonus.
The Associated Press
