Intestinal Parasite Sidelines Giambi

Ailing New York Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi was diagnosed with an intestinal parasite and was out of the starting lineup Tuesday night when New York played Boston.

The Yankees didn’t specify the parasite Giambi had, and he said he couldn’t remember the name the doctor gave him.

The former American League most valuable player said he’d been feeling exhausted for about three weeks. He began taking a new set of antibiotics Tuesday and said a doctor told him he should feel better within a couple of days.

Giambi has one hit in his last 14 at-bats. He hasn’t homered since hitting his 11th of the season on June 20, and his average has dropped from .271 on June 7 to .237.

“This sort of explains it to be more than a slump,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “He still looks a little washed-out.”

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Austin Kearns needs surgery to remove scar tissue from his aching right thumb, sidelining the Cincinnati Red outfielder for another four to six weeks. Kearns developed a sore spot on the inside of the thumb last month, eventually forcing him onto the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.

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The Chicago White Sox designated left-handed reliever Vic Darensbourg for assignment.... Baltimore put right fielder Jay Gibbons on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of outfielder Chad Mottola from triple-A Ottawa.... Cleveland purchased the contract of reliever Bob Howry from triple-A Buffalo and optioned left-hander Cliff Bartosh to Buffalo.... Colorado designated right-hander Kevin Jarvis for assignment....Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia will miss his scheduled start on Thursday, but will not have to go on the disabled list because of a sore left shoulder.