Dislocated Shoulder Could Sideline Padres’ Nevin for Season

San Diego Padre outfielder Phil Nevin might be out for the 2003 season after dislocating his left shoulder during Friday’s exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox.

Nevin, a former No. 1 draft pick from Cal State Fullerton who missed nearly a third of the 2002 season because of a broken left arm and an elbow injury, popped his non-throwing shoulder out of its socket while making a diving backhanded catch in the Padres’ 2-0 exhibition loss.

Nevin had an MRI exam on his shoulder Saturday at the Padres’ spring training site in Peoria, Ariz., then flew to San Diego. He might need reconstructive surgery, which would probably sideline him for the 2003 season, Padre General Manager Kevin Towers said on the team’s Web site.

“It was a pretty severe dislocation,” Towers said. “It’s the second time it’s happened so they may want to tighten it up a bit. We know that Nevin isn’t going to be ready for the start of the season even if he doesn’t have the surgery.”

It’s the second major injury for the Padres, who will probably be without closer Trevor Hoffman for at least half the season. Hoffman, the team’s all-time leader with 350 saves, had surgery to shave a half-inch of bone at the top of his pitching shoulder.

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Minnesota Twin pitcher Eric Milton is expected to be sidelined four to six months after surgery on his left knee.

The left-hander had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday in Park City, Utah. The operation revealed torn and loose cartilage, and inflammation that resembled arthritis.

Before the surgery, Milton had hoped he could be back after the first week of the regular season.

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St. Louis Cardinal center fielder Jim Edmonds will be sidelined at least two to four weeks because of a calf injury and could start the season on the disabled list.

An MRI exam showed the Gold Glove outfielder strained his left calf during Friday’s exhibition game against Florida.

Trainer Barry Weinberg said it would take a couple of weeks before the Cardinals could determine exactly how long Edmonds will be out.

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David Wells will not be traded or released because of his autobiography, New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said Saturday.

But Wells still might be punished by the team for a book Cashman has said “tarnishes the Yankees’ image.”

Team President Randy Levine spent Saturday on the telephone with Gene Orza of the players’ association, Rob Manfred of the commissioner’s office and Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, to discuss what penalty, if any, would be assessed.

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Cincinnati Red closer Scott Williamson has a minor fracture on a finger of his pitching hand and outfielder Austin Kearns has chips in his elbow, according to medical tests.

Williamson is expected to be out a week. Kearns is scheduled for an MRI exam today and if surgery is needed he probably will sit out seven to 10 days.