Rangers Lose Thompson for Rest of Season

Texas Ranger left-hander Justin Thompson will have surgery Friday to repair a torn rotator cuff and will be sidelined for the season.

The decision for more surgery on Thompson’s pitching shoulder was made Wednesday after an examination by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Thompson was recalled from a medical rehab May 1, and appeared close to joining the Rangers until he continued to have soreness in his left shoulder last week. A preliminary MRI was done Monday.

Dr. John Conway, the Rangers’ team physician, said the tear appeared larger than first thought and that surgery was the best option for Thompson to have a chance to play in 2001.

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Montreal Expo closer Ugueth Urbina missed Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies after feeling pain in his right elbow while warming up the previous night.

Urbina, last year’s NL saves leader with 41, told team officials about the pain after the Expos’ 3-2 win Tuesday night. X-rays of the elbow were taken on Wednesday and an MRI will be performed today.

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Soon to be imprisoned for participating in a cocaine and marijuana trafficking operation, the father of St. Louis Cardinal rookie pitcher Rick Ankiel was arrested in Fort Pierce, Fla., for allegedly throwing a loaded handgun from his car.

Richard Ankiel, 43, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and culpable negligence. He was being held without bail at St. Lucie County Jail.

Ankiel was to report to federal prison July 24 to begin serving an almost six-year sentence.

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Florida Marlin right-hander Ricky Bones has been scratched from his scheduled start today against the Atlanta Braves for a novel reason: He strained his lower back watching television.

The injury occurred while Bones was relaxing in a clubhouse recliner Sunday.

Bones is expected to be sidelined only a few days.

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The Detroit Tigers signed outfielder Rich Becker, who had gone unclaimed on waivers after being released by Oakland on Monday. . . . Catcher Cesar King was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Texas Rangers, then optioned to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. . . . Left-hander J.C. Romero was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Minnesota Twins and optioned to triple-A Salt Lake.