A’s Dotel Opts for Surgery on Elbow

Oakland A’s closer Octavio Dotel will have reconstructive elbow surgery as soon as possible, despite receiving recommendations from four doctors that he try to rehabilitate the injury first.

“Octavio does not feel he can pitch with the level of pain he was pitching with,” A’s trainer Larry Davis said Thursday. “Everybody’s tolerance level is different. Octavio feels like he’s tried long enough.”

Dotel, 31, will be sidelined at least a year and possibly up to two years. That is a major concern for him because his contract is up after this season.

“I do worry about it,” he said. “This year was one of my important years.... Hey, things happen.”

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Jason Giambi no longer has an endorsement deal with Nike.

A Nike spokesman confirmed that the shoe and apparel company ended its nine-year relationship with the New York Yankees’ slumping slugger.

Nike did not say if the move was related to Giambi’s reported admission of steroid use or his poor play.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays reinstated Dewon Brazelton, more than three weeks after the right-hander had disappeared after a demotion to triple-A Durham. Neither the team nor Brazelton issued an explanation for the absence.

The club has made no decision on when or where Brazelton will report.

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Cleveland Indian outfielder Juan Gonzalez was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Coco Crisp was activated from the DL to replace Gonzalez.... Milwaukee put third baseman Russell Branyan on the 15-day disabled list with a broken middle finger on his left hand, and infielder Dave Krynzel was recalled from triple-A Nashville.... Cincinnati career save leader Danny Graves cleared waivers and was released by the Reds, freeing him to sign with any team.... The New York Mets put reliever Dae-Sung Koo on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised rotator cuff and recalled left-hander Royce Ring from triple-A Norfolk.