DETROIT — It’s all up to Johnny Damon now: Play out the season in Detroit or rejoin the Red Sox for another playoff chase.
The Red Sox have claimed the 36-year-old outfielder on waivers from the Tigers, and Damon was deciding Monday whether to go.
Once a fan favorite at Fenway Park, he has been booed there ever since he defected to the rival Yankees.
Damon had a little time to make up his mind — teams have 48 hours to work out a deal.
“I’ve got a lot to think about,” he said.
Damon has hit .270 with seven homers and 40 RBIs during his first season in Detroit. His contract includes a clause that gives him veto power over trades to all but eight teams. Because the Red Sox aren’t one of those clubs, he can block any move.
Strasburg going back on DL
WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg is headed back to the disabled list, and his prized right arm will undergo yet another examination that will largely determine whether he pitches again this season.
The Nationals rookie will have a second MRI exam to see if anything more than a strained tendon in his forearm caused him to grimace after throwing a changeup in Saturday’s game at Philadelphia. Strasburg underwent an MRI on Sunday.
The MRI “showed some things on there that led us to set up another MRI,” general manager Mike Rizzo said, adding the test will be done in the “next day or two” and will use an injection of dye that should render “a full view of what’s going on in there.”
Footnotes.
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (calf) said he will be completely ready to return from the DL next week.
• Twins left-handed reliever Ron Mahay is out for the rest of the season with a torn right rotator cuff, while right-hander Kevin Slowey is expected back in the rotation after an MRI revealed a mild muscle strain in his right triceps.
• A judge assigned to Roger Clemens’ perjury case issued a gag order prohibiting public comments by the principles in the case that could affect the jury pool for a possible trial.
The Associated Press
