Ryan, Recovering From Surgery, Takes Brief Walk

Nolan Ryan’s son said his father was doing better and even took a brief walk Monday, but baseball’s strikeout king was still expected to be hospitalized for a week after double bypass heart surgery at Austin, Texas.

The 53-year-old Hall of Famer underwent two hours of emergency surgery Sunday at Austin Heart Hospital and was listed in stable condition Monday.

Blood tests and an electrocardiogram showed Ryan did not have a heart attack. He was considered in nearly perfect health for a man his age, but family history left him vulnerable to heart disease.

Reid Ryan said at a news conference Monday night that his father was in good spirits.

“He’s doing much, much better,” said the older of the pitcher’s two sons. “He did get up a little while ago out of bed and walked for the first time down the hall.”

Ryan said fans told him they could not believe his father had bypass surgery because they thought of him as someone who could cheat time.

“It was almost like someone brought kryptonite to Superman,” Reid Ryan said.

Dr. Mark Felger, who performed the two-hour operation, said the arterial blockage was in the top left side of the heart, the worst place for a blockage.

“This is one of the most serious situations,” Felger said, adding that Ryan was “at risk for a significantly bad event.”

Felger said he expected Ryan to have a full and speedy recovery because he’s so active. Ryan walks an hour a day, lifts weights and swims.

Felger said Ryan will be restricted from driving for two weeks and should do no heavy lifting for two to three months.

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Flulike symptoms sent Oakland Manager Art Howe to a hospital for tests Monday night and he missed the Athletics’ game against Toronto.

Also, Jeremy Giambi, who has been struggling to hit and to get playing time, was optioned to triple-A Sacramento by the A’s, who also put ailing designated hitter John Jaha on the 15-day disabled list.

The A’s recalled center fielder Terrence Long and third baseman-designated hitter Adam Piatt from Sacramento to fill the roster spots.

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The New York Yankees put left-handed reliever Allen Watson on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Sunday, because of a strained left oblique muscle. Watson was injured during Saturday’s game at Toronto when he slipped on the mound while delivering a pitch. To fill the roster spot, the Yankees recalled left-hander Ed Yarnall from triple-A Columbus. . . . The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox have rescheduled as part of a doubleheader for Sept. 16 a game rained out last Thursday at Comerica Park. . . . San Diego outfielder Kory DeHaan was recalled from his 20-day rehabilitation assignment and activated from the disabled list. The Padres optioned infielder-outfielder John Roskos to triple-A Las Vegas.