Griffey to Sit Out Rest of the Season

Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn right hamstring, the latest setback in a long line of injuries for the All-Star outfielder.

Griffey will have surgery Monday, the Reds said. Team medical director Timothy Kremchek said that an MRI exam showed Griffey had ruptured his hamstring last week in San Francisco.

Griffey, who hit his 500th career home run earlier this season, could be fully rehabilitated in time for spring training, Kremchek said.

The Reds said Griffey was hurt while making a sliding catch in right field last Wednesday. Griffey had moved over from his usual spot in center field for the game, his first appearance in nearly four weeks since tearing his hamstring.

“He had a complete rupture of the hamstring off the bone,” Kremchek said.

“He knew it wasn’t right, and that’s why he hadn’t really played since he injured it in San Francisco.”

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Mike Piazza was put on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his left knee, leaving the New York Mets without their best hitter as they try to stay on the edge of the NL playoff race.

The move was made retroactive to Aug. 7. Piazza had an MRI exam and received a shot in his knee. He said it probably would need to be drained.

“The doctor was careful because he said after catching for 13 years and even more in the minor leagues, they look pretty good. But there is some wear and tear,” Piazza said.

The 11-time All-Star is batting .276 with 17 homers and 44 RBIs this season but has slumped badly since the end of June.

The Mets recalled infielder Danny Garcia from triple-A Norfolk to take Piazza’s spot on the roster.

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New York Yankee right-hander Mike Mussina pitched three scoreless innings in a rehabilitation start for triple-A Columbus.

Mussina, who went on the disabled list July 6 because of a stiff right elbow, gave up two hits, struck out five and didn’t walk a batter while throwing 46 pitches, which included 29 strikes.

Yankee Manager Joe Torre had said he wanted Mussina to make at least one start in the minors before rejoining the Yankee rotation.