DETROIT — Johnny Damon is staying in Detroit.
The 36-year-old outfielder decided to pass up a chance to return to the Boston Red Sox, rejecting their waiver claim and choosing to remain with the Tigers.
“These guys really like me here,” Damon said Tuesday, adding that he spoke to each of his Tigers teammates to be sure he was wanted.
Damon was popular in Boston when he helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series to end an 86-year drought. With his long hair and beard, he was part of the group of Red Sox players who called themselves the “Idiots.” He fell out of favor, however, with many Boston fans when he later became a free agent and joined the rival New York Yankees.
Damon is hitting .272 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 111 games.
“I feel like we’re not out of it yet,” he said. “At least we can make some kind of run.”
Strasburg placed on DL.
As expected, the Nationals put rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg back on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and scheduled him for a further test this week on his strained right forearm.
Kinsler nears return.
Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler ran sprints and took 100 swings in the batting cage. He hopes to return within a week after missing nearly a month with a strained left groin.
Footnotes.
The Yankees are moving pitcher Javier Vazquez to the bullpen; rookie Ivan Nova will start this weekend.
• Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordoñez is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery today on his right ankle.
• Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf has a damaged muscle in the back of his right shoulder that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
• Reds center fielder Jim Edmonds was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique muscle.
The Associated Press
