Furcal Will Miss Rest of Season

Atlanta Brave shortstop Rafael Furcal, the National League rookie of the year in 2000, will sit out the rest of the season after dislocating his left shoulder in a game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

Furcal will have surgery today and need about six months to recover. The Braves expect him to be ready for spring training.

Furcal was injured in the ninth inning Friday when he stole second, then slid awkwardly past the base and reached for the bag.

Furcal hurt the same shoulder in the off-season and injured it again earlier this season.

To replace Furcal on the roster, the Braves recalled Jesse Garcia from triple-A Richmond.

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The Angels optioned first baseman Larry Barnes to triple-A Salt Lake City. Barnes, 26, had three hits--all singles--in 38 at-bats since being promoted upon Wally Joyner’s retirement June 16. Reserves Benji Gil, Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten have started the past three games at first base.

The Angels will fill the vacant roster spot by Thursday.

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The New York Mets put seldom-used outfielder Darryl Hamilton on waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release.

Hamilton, 36, batted .214 in 52 games with one homer and five RBIs in 126 at-bats.

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Outfielder Brad Wilkerson, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, was called up from triple-A Ottawa by the Montreal Expos.

Wilkerson, 24, was the Expos’ first pick in the supplemental round of the 1998 draft.

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The Houston Astros put third baseman Charlie Hayes on waivers and will activate Orlando Merced from the 15-day disabled list.

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Jose Rijo had a strong performance in the second minor league start of a comeback attempt. He gave up one hit and no runs in three innings for the Cincinnati Reds’ double-A Chattanooga team in a game at Mobile, Ala. Rijo, 36, walked one and struck out three.