Diamondbacks Trade Womack to Rockies

The Arizona Diamondbacks solved one of their roster problems Friday by trading shortstop Tony Womack to the Colorado Rockies for a minor league pitcher.

Womack spent 4 1/2 seasons with Arizona, mostly as the team’s leadoff hitter. He became expendable because of the strong showing of young infielders Matt Kata and Alex Cintron, along with the return of Craig Counsell from surgery to his right thumb.

Womack, 33, is hitting .237 with 15 runs batted in this season. The Diamondbacks acquired right-hander Mike Watson, who was 1-3 with a 5.02 earned-run average for Class-A Asheville.

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Outfielder Shane Spencer, batting .271 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs, was traded by the Cleveland Indians along with right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

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Tampa Bay designated hitter Ben Grieve was hospitalized Friday night after tests found a small blood clot in his right arm.

A team spokesman said Grieve was in good condition at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and would be re-evaluated today.

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Ken Griffey Jr. underwent surgery to repair a shredded tendon in his right ankle, the sixth major injury since the center fielder joined his hometown Cincinnati Reds in 2000.

Griffey, 33, is expected to have surgery in the next few weeks to repair his right shoulder, which he dislocated while trying to make a diving catch on April 5. Both injuries should be fully healed by the start of spring training, said Dr. Timothy Kremchek, who performed the operation.

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Rick Ankiel, who turns 24 today, has undergone reconstructive surgery on his left elbow and is expected to be out at least a year, putting an end to his latest comeback bid in the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor-league system.