Garciaparra Put on Disabled List

Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will start the season on the disabled list because of an injured right Achilles’ tendon and is expected to be out at least three weeks.

Doctors said there was no structural damage to Garciaparra’s inflamed tendon and almost no risk that it will trouble him beyond a few weeks.

“I don’t like missing more time than I anticipated, but the good thing is we know we have a structured program to be able to talk to all the doctors and get everyone on the same page,” Garciaparra said. “My body will tell me when I’m ready.”

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Ailing San Francisco ace Jason Schmidt pitched three strong innings in a minor league game, a sign for the Giants that their star right-hander might not be out too long. Still, General Manager Brian Sabean said Schmidt would start the season on the disabled list because of shoulder discomfort.

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Bumped from Houston’s star-studded rotation this spring and sent to the minors this week, Jeriome Robertson was traded by the Astros to the Cleveland Indians.

In exchange for Robertson, who led major league rookies with 15 wins last year, the Indians gave up outfielder Luke Scott and the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras.

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The Atlanta Braves released outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. just hours before they would have been obligated to pay him his entire salary for 2004.

The Braves signed Matthews to an $800,000, one-year contract in December. By releasing him, Atlanta is responsible for only $200,000.

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Cleveland center fielder Milton Bradley was removed by Manager Eric Wedge for not running hard on a second-inning popup that dropped in for a single during a 3-2 exhibition loss to Houston.

The temperamental center fielder dressed quickly and left the ballpark before the game was over.

Wedge wouldn’t say whether there was a confrontation when Bradley came back into the dugout.

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Kansas City closer Mike MacDougal will begin the season on the disabled list because of a stomach virus.... Baltimore left-hander Omar Daal will sit out at least three months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.... The Colorado Rockies released infielder Benji Gil.... Pittsburgh released left-handed reliever Joe Beimel.