Guardado Has a Torn Rotator Cuff

Seattle Mariner closer Eddie Guardado has a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder that probably will require season-ending surgery.

The veteran left-hander is expected to sit out eight to 12 months, the Mariners said Tuesday.

Guardado, 33, will seek a second medical opinion before he has an operation, the team said.

Guardado was put on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 1.

Guardado was signed as a free agent on Dec. 16 after pitching 11 seasons with the Twins. The Mariners gave him a $13-million, three-year contract.

The Mariners also said that right-hander Rafael Soriano, a key member of their bullpen last season, has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow and will require Tommy John surgery.

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The Kansas City Royals sent struggling American League rookie of the year Angel Berroa to double-A Wichita on Tuesday.

Berroa, who signed an $11-million, four-year contract in May, was batting .249 with five home runs and 30 runs batted in. Last year, the shortstop hit .287 with 17 homers and 73 RBIs.

“Obviously, he has not played to the top of his ability. He has a lot of pressure on him, and we just decided to send him back down so he can clear his head and come back and play,” Royal Manager Tony Pena said. “It was a very tough decision, but sometimes you need to make a move for the best of the player.”

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New York Met pitcher Tom Glavine lost his two front upper teeth in an automobile accident while going from La Guardia Airport to Shea Stadium in a taxi. Glavine also got stitches for a cut lower lip. He was to be released from a hospital Tuesday night and miss his scheduled start tonight against Houston.

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An upbeat Jason Giambi arrived at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., to start working himself back into playing shape after being diagnosed with a benign tumor. The Yankees also announced that pitcher Javier Vazquez will miss his scheduled start tonight because of pinkeye.