Surgery Cuts McDonald Season Short

Cleveland Indian right-hander Ben McDonald likely will have to wait until next year to pitch for the team after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the club said.

While performing arthroscopic exploratory surgery on McDonald’s shoulder, Dr. Lewis Yocum found further degeneration of the rotator cuff and repaired the damage. McDonald had season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in July while with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Indians acquired McDonald and relievers Ron Villone and Mike Fetters from the Brewers in the off-season for outfielder Marquis Grissom and pitcher Jeff Juden.

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Now that the Florida Marlins finally have coaxed Gary Sheffield to spring training in Melbourne, Fla., they’ll have a hard time getting rid of him.

Sheffield was briefly AWOL before he arrived six days and five hours late Thursday. The mercurial slugger then announced he intends to remain with the Marlins for the duration of his six-year, $61-million contract that starts this season.

Florida had sought to trade Sheffield during the off-season to cut costs, but he said he will exercise his right to veto any deal.

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The verdict in Mo Vaughn’s drunk-driving case should come next week. The Red Sox first baseman already has passed harsh judgment on himself.

He never should have been in a position to crash his truck early in the morning Jan. 9 on a rain-soaked highway south of Boston, he said Thursday.

“Whether I’m innocent or guilty doesn’t really matter,” he said. “When you put yourself near a situation like that, that’s where the problem starts and you can never be vindicated. . . . It’s going to be on your record and in the back of people’s minds forever.”

Vaughn planned to leave camp in Fort Meyers, Fla., on Sunday night for Monday’s trial in Dedham, Mass..

He said he wouldn’t accept a plea bargain “because I’m a man’s man. . . . I’d rather go to trial and take my consequences.”

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Toronto closer Randy Myers was the last player to arrive at the Blue Jays’ camp in Dunedin, Fla. “When he comes to camp, he’s 95% ready,” said Tim Johnson, Toronto’s rookie manager. “He’s one of those guys, one pitch and he’s ready.” Myers left Baltimore and signed a three-year, $18-million deal with the Blue Jays in November. . . . Willie Blair will start the Arizona Diamondbacks’ exhibition opener against the Chicago White Sox in Tucson tonight, but the spring pitching pattern indicates Andy Benes will start the regular-season opener. Benes has started on opening day in 1993-95--his first three seasons with San Diego--and in 1996 with St. Louis. . . . Oakland A’s shortstop Kurt Abbott will be sidelined for at least a week because of a sprained left wrist. . . . The Kansas City Royals are moving ahead with plans to sell the team, with extensive information about the club due to go to potential bidders in a week or two, club President Michael Herman said. . . . Hundreds of fans formed a line three blocks long in Chicago to pay final respects to Harry Caray on a perfect day for a ballgame. After today’s funeral Mass, there will be a private burial Saturday.