Gordon Has ‘Severe’ Injury

Chicago Cub closer Tom Gordon, forced to walk off the mound this week after hurting himself, has a “severe” shoulder injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Cubs had counted on Gordon to come back strong from an injury-plagued season. Instead, a second MRI exam Thursday confirmed their worst fears.

“It’s a significant injury that’s going to require significant time off,” Cub President Andy MacPhail said. “We don’t have a time frame yet.”

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Major League Baseball placed two umpires on two years of probation in 1989 after a secret investigation into gambling, the New York Daily News reported today.

The newspaper said John Dowd, also the investigator in the Pete Rose gambling probe, wrote the report that led to the sanctions against then-umpires Frank Pulli and Rich Garcia.

Dowd told the newspaper that Pulli and Garcia were sanctioned for placing bets with “local bookies,” and cooperated fully with the investigation.

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Chan Ho Park pitched four strong innings for Texas before the Rangers’ game against the Cincinnati Reds was rained out in Port Charlotte, Fla.

The former Dodger, expected to be Texas’ opening day starter, gave up one unearned run, two hits and struck out six.

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The tightness in Jason Giambi’s left hamstring will keep the New York Yankee first baseman out of the lineup until at least Saturday.

Meanwhile, shortstop Derek Jeter could return to the lineup by the weekend. He has been out since Sunday because of a strained neck muscle.

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Cleveland bench coach Grady Little was optimistic he’d become manager of the Boston Red Sox as he prepared for a formal interview with team officials.

At least four candidates are expected to be interviewed, a process beginning today and likely to carry over to Saturday, team owner John Henry said.

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First baseman Andres Galarraga, 40, signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Expos.... San Diego Padre General Manager Kevin Towers agreed to a contract extension through the 2007 season, with a team option for an additional year.... Brian Bohanon, a nonroster pitcher in camp with the Cincinnati Reds, has been scheduled for arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair a stress fracture in his left elbow.