Ventura Set to Begin Rehabilitation

Robin Ventura, who suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in spring training with the Chicago White Sox, will begin a rehabilitation assignment today at triple-A Nashville.

Ventura underwent surgery after he was injured sliding into home in Sarasota, Fla. He had the screw removed from the ankle on May 6 and began physical therapy.

A lifetime .276 hitter and a four-time Gold Glove winner, Ventura is the club’s leader in home runs by a third baseman with 142.

“We have decided it’s time for Robin to go out and play,” Chicago General Manager Ron Schueler said. “We haven’t set a date yet for his return.”

*

Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners missed Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers to attend a memorial service for his mother-in-law.

Avon Gay, 54, died Thursday at a Tacoma-area hospital of congestive heart failure. Her daughter, Melissa, married Griffey in 1992.

*

Seattle pitcher Tim Scott, who was claimed on waivers from the Colorado Rockies this week, was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore elbow.

The Mariners suspect the Rockies put Scott on waivers knowing he was injured and might take their complaint to the American League.