Surgery to End Wright’s Season

Pitcher Jaret Wright’s season is over, and the Cleveland Indians are wondering when or if they’ll have him for next year.

Wright, 24, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder next week, the latest setback for a pitcher who only three years ago owned October.

He has a frayed labrum in his right shoulder, and after getting a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Wright will be operated on by Lewis Yocum, the Angel team physician, on Aug. 17.

If more severe damage is found during the surgery, there is a possibility Wright might not be ready for the start of spring training, which will make it tough on the club should it look for pitching help during the off-season.

“It puts us in a situation that we don’t know if we can count on him for next year or at least the beginning of next year,” said John Hart, Cleveland’s general manager. “We have other holes to fill. There are other places we would like to put our money other than starting pitching.”

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The Detroit Tigers put first baseman Hal Morris on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken left index finger, suffered while fielding grounders before Tuesday’s game against Baltimore.

The Tigers recalled first baseman-outfielder Dusty Allen from triple-A Toledo to replace Morris.

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Though Baltimore pitcher Scott Erickson’s surgery was deemed a success, it’s not clear when he’ll be able to pitch again in the big leagues.

Trainer Richie Bancells said recovery time is 8-12 months, which at a minimum means Erickson would not open the 2001 season. Erickson had a tendon taken from his left wrist to replace a ligament in his right elbow.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks plan to recall reliever Byung-Hyun Kim and first baseman Erubiel Durazo from triple-A Tucson in hopes of bolstering their bullpen and offense.

They also hope for a healthier Steve Finley, a Gold Glove-winning center fielder who received an epidural injection Wednesday to relieve chronic pain in his lower back.

He was out of the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against Montreal, but could be back Friday when Arizona begins a six-game trip at Pittsburgh.

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A biopsy on a cyst in Andres Galarraga’s broken thumb found no trace of cancer, leaving the Atlanta Braves’ first baseman relieved.

Atlanta also welcomed back pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who fainted in the dugout during Tuesday night’s game. Mazzone, 51, was released from a hospital Wednesday morning after test results came back normal.