Catcher Rodriguez Is Going on Disabled List

Texas Ranger catcher Ivan Rodriguez has a herniated disk in his lower back and will sit out four to six weeks.

Rodriguez, who did not make the team’s trip to Seattle, had an MRI test Friday at Arlington, Texas, and the results were announced Saturday.

The Rangers will put the 10-time American League All-Star on the 15-day disabled list after they return home, probably Monday or Tuesday.

Rodriguez was out of the lineup for the fifth consecutive game and received treatment at Arlington. He was scratched from the lineup April 15 because of lower back pain.

Backup Bill Haselman is catching in Rodriguez’s place. Rodriguez is batting .222 (10 for 45) in 12 games.

“It hurts,” Texas first baseman Rafael Palmeiro said. “He is one of the best players in the game.”

Rodriguez’s injury is the latest in a rash of injuries to hit the Rangers.

The Rangers have put outfielder Juan Gonzalez and No. 1 starter Chan Ho Park on the disabled list. Closer Jeff Zimmerman and reliever Jay Powell are also out with injuries.

Manager Jerry Narron said he has never seen so many injuries to key players at the same time.

*

Jose Rijo thought it was a joke when Cincinnati Red Manager Bob Boone told him he’s getting his first start since July 1995.

Five elbow surgeries and nearly seven years after his last start, Rijo will start today against the Chicago Cubs, completing one of the most amazing comebacks in baseball.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Rijo said. “I didn’t think I’d get the chance to be starting again, to be what I was before. I thought it would be impossible.”

He has a 2.25 earned-run average in four appearances, walking two and striking out five, and he went a bullpen-best 31/3 innings in his last outing. So when a spot in the rotation opened up with Jose Acevedo’s demotion to triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Rijo got his chance.

*

Minnesota Twin pitcher Joe Mays said he might not be ready to come off the disabled list April 30. His inflamed right elbow hasn’t made any progress and he said he’ll have to rest some more before resuming throwing.... Boston Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon didn’t break a finger, X-rays revealed. He was struck on the left middle finger while trying to bunt in Friday’s game.