Gonzalez Will Return to DL

Juan Gonzalez returned to Cleveland for tests after straining his right hamstring Tuesday in Minnesota. The outfielder, a two-time American League most valuable player who has spent most of the last three years rehabilitating a variety of injuries, was hurt in the first inning trying to beat out a slow grounder in his first major league at-bat in more than a year.

He never made it to first base, turning right, dropping his head and heading directly into the Indians’ dugout. It’s the same hamstring he hurt at the end of spring training.

The Indians said Gonzalez would be put on the disabled list -- his 12th stay there. However, the club was waiting at least one more day to make the move and had only 24 players available for Wednesday night’s game against the Twins.

Outfielder Coco Crisp, who severely sprained his right thumb while sliding last month, could be ready to return, and the Indians would prefer to activate him rather than make another roster move.

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The San Francisco Giants extended Felipe Alou’s contract through the 2006 season, ending speculation about whether the manager would return for a fourth season.

Alou, 70, who took over the team from Dusty Baker after the 2002 season, is one of only three managers in franchise history to win at least 90 games in his first two years.

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New York Met relievers Felix Heredia and Bartolome Fortunato are scheduled to undergo surgery today, and both are expected to be sidelined the rest of the season.

Heredia has an aneurysm in his left shoulder that was recently discovered by doctors, General Manager Omar Minaya said. The left-hander has been having circulation problems and was put on the disabled list April 19 because of a strained left thumb.

Fortunato will have surgery for a herniated disk. The right-hander has been on the DL all season.