Ripken Has a Sore Back, Different Kind of Streak

Cal Ripken sat out a second consecutive game Thursday, but he said his sore back feels much better and he has no intention of going on the disabled list for the first time in his 19-year career.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “Today I’m bouncing around real well and eager to put the uniform on and start swinging. But it just makes sense to go one more day.”

Ripken, 38, left the Baltimore Orioles’ opener against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday because of stiffness in his back. He then sat out Wednesday’s game, the first time he sat out because of injury since 1982.

Last Sept. 20, Ripken voluntarily ended his record consecutive-games streak of 2,632 by sitting out the Orioles’ final home game against the New York Yankees.

Ripken’s back loosened up considerably by Thursday, but he was omitted from the starting lineup for the game against the Devil Rays after discussing his status with Manager Ray Miller and trainer Richie Bancells.

Ripken had not sat out two consecutive games since shortly after he joined the Orioles in 1981. He sat out the last 12 games of the season, and the following May began his record-breaking streak.

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Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox, who suffered a slightly pulled hamstring while sliding home Wednesday night, may not play again until the Red Sox’ home opener Tuesday, a team spokesman said.

Garciaparra sat out Thursday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals and probably won’t play tonight at Tampa Bay, Red Sox spokesman Glenn Wilburn said, adding it was possible Garciaparra might sit out the entire weekend series.

Garciaparra injured the left hamstring in Boston’s 6-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. He was two for seven in the first two games against the Royals.

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Seattle Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, the team said.

“Everything went fine,” said Larry Pedegana, the team’s medical director. “The surgery went as expected, and Alex is already home resting and getting ready to begin his rehabilitation.”

The Mariners said rehabilitation probably will take at least four weeks.

Rodriguez, 23, was injured in an exhibition March 30.

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Former Oriole starting catcher Chris Hoiles, who was released three days before the season, has accepted the team’s offer to become a roving catching instructor.

Hoiles, who will be paid $3.75 million this year, will travel to the club’s minor-league affiliates and work with young catchers on their mechanics.

“I’ll go down and help some young kids fulfill their dreams,” he said. “I’ll go there and share the situations I know about, the experience I have--and possibly help someone.”