Sheffield Could Be Out for Three Months

New York Yankee right fielder Gary Sheffield, who injured his thumb in a spring training game Saturday, could be sidelined as long as three months if doctors determine a ligament is torn and surgery is needed.

At first, the Yankees thought Sheffield’s injury was merely a bruise. After an MRI exam Sunday, the team decided to send him to Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, a hand expert in New York.

“Now I’m officially worried about it,” General Manager Brian Cashman said Monday.

He said Sheffield’s worst-case scenario would be surgery, and best-case scenario would be a return for spring training games.

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San Diego Padre slugger Phil Nevin has a strained left shoulder and is expected to sit out about four weeks.

Nevin had an MRI exam in San Diego that revealed the strain.

Nevin is expected to have his arm in a sling for seven to 10 days, then begin his rehabilitation.

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Philadelphia Phillie first baseman Jim Thome, who has a broken middle finger on his right hand, could return in three weeks and probably won’t miss opening day.

Thome injured his throwing hand Friday during fielding drills in Clearwater, Fla., and he was examined by a doctor Monday.

“Jim does not require surgery. He will have the upper portion of his finger placed in a splint for two weeks and could return in three weeks,” Phillie General Manager Ed Wade said.

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A pizza deliveryman who said he was roughed up by Karim Garcia and Shane Spencer filed a police report at Port St. Lucie, Fla., and investigators said they would try to question the New York Met outfielders.

Sgt. Robert McGhee of the Port St. Lucie police department said Eric Vidal, 20, made an allegation of simple battery after a dispute in a parking lot last week. No charges have been filed.

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The Cleveland Indians renewed outfielder Jody Gerut’s contract, choosing not to give him a multiyear deal. Financial terms were not released. Gerut made $300,000 last season.