Williams Leaves to Be With Father

Bernie Williams’ ailing father had a heart attack Sunday, and the Yankee center fielder made plans to return to Puerto Rico.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good right now,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said.

Williams’ brother tried to reach the player with the news during Sunday’s game, according to Torre, and the two spoke shortly after the final out.

Torre broke the news in his office after the game.

“Bernie Williams’ dad had a massive heart attack,” the manager said. “Obviously, it’s grave right now.”

Bernabe Williams Sr., 73, has pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition that has worsened.

Yankee traveling secretary Dave Szen arranged for Williams to travel to Puerto Rico. New York, meanwhile, opens a six-game trip Tuesday at Oakland.

Teammates were sullen when they heard the news. “We’re his family and we have to support him,” closer Mariano Rivera said.

Williams has struggled this season, hitting .221 with three homers and 14 runs batted in.

David Cone will join Boston’s rotation and start Thursday against the Minnesota Twins, a day after Tim Wakefield makes his first start of the season for the Red Sox.

Hipolito Pichardo also will be recalled from a rehab assignment in a move that the Red Sox said will be effective today. Paxton Crawford and Tomo Ohka were optioned to triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the roster.

Cone, who won the 1994 AL Cy Young Award, signed with the Red Sox in January and hurt his right shoulder during spring training.

In his most recent rehab start, on Saturday for Class-A Sarasota, Cone pitched four innings and gave up two hits while striking out six.

Wakefield pitched two innings Sunday in his 12th relief appearance of the season. The knuckleballer has a 1-0 record with a 1.76 earned-run average in 30 2/3 innings with 25 strikeouts and six walks.

Colorado activated third baseman Jeff Cirillo and put outfielder Brooks Kieschnick on the 15-day disabled list. . . . The New York Mets recalled catcher Jason Phillips from double-A Binghamton and put left-hander Tom Martin on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained shoulder. . . . Philadelphia put catcher Mike Lieberthal on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right knee and recalled catcher Johnny Estrada from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. . . . Kansas City fired pitching coach Brent Strom. Bullpen coach Tom Gamboa will replace him on an interim basis. . . . San Diego put second baseman Damian Jackson on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right thumb and purchased the contract of infielder Adam Riggs from triple-A Portland.