Police Find Steroids in Car of Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will wait until baseball completes its investigation before deciding whether to discipline infielder Manny Alexander after police found steroids in his car.

Alexander lent his car to a team bat boy while the Red Sox were in Chicago to play the White Sox. Boston police found vials and syringes in the glove compartment June 30, the Boston Herald reported Tuesday.

Alexander refused to comment before Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota. Team spokesman Kevin Shea said the bat boy, Carlos Cowart, was not at Fenway Park for the game.

Shea confirmed Monday that the commissioner’s office is investigating Alexander’s connection to the steroids.

No criminal complaint has been filed. Possession of steroids without a prescription carries a sentence of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The Red Sox received more bad news when it was learned pitcher Pete Schourek may miss the rest of the season after doctors diagnosed problems up in his left arm, including bone chips in his elbow and a frayed rotator cuff.

“I don’t know how much rehab will help it,” Schourek said.

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St. Louis Cardinal first baseman Mark McGwire said he’d consider undergoing surgery before the season ended if it is the only option left to repair the patella tendon in his ailing right knee.

“It’s an option, but it’s like the final straw,” McGwire said. “I don’t want that.”

McGwire missed his 15th game with the injury.

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Manny Ramirez’s agent came away from talks with the Cleveland Indians less confident that the slugger will remain with the team.

“I can’t say we expect an offer, but at the same time we’ve discussed parameters from our side, and I think the ball rests in their court at this moment,” Jeff Moorad said after talking with owner Larry Dolan, General Manager John Hart and assistant Mark Shapiro.

Moorad said no offer has been made, and he doesn’t expect one before the trading deadline Monday.

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Tampa Bay Devil Ray Manager Larry Rothschild will wait until today to decide whether he’ll appeal a two-game suspension for bumping an umpire and arguing excessively. Rothschild’s arm struck plate umpire Laz Diaz during a July 18 game with the Atlanta Braves. . . . The Chicago White Sox signed left-hander Mike Sirotka to a $6.8-million, two-year contract extension through 2002.