Braves’ Thomson May Miss 3 Months

Atlanta pitcher John Thomson will be out up to three months because of an injured finger, depriving the Braves of one of their most effective starters.

He hurt his right middle finger during Monday night’s game at San Diego, General Manager John Schuerholz said Thursday. While the initial diagnosis was a strained tendon flexor, the Braves worried it was much worse.

An MRI exam confirmed their fears, showing the right-hander actually has a partial tear to the supporting structure around the tendon.

Surgery won’t be required, but it will be at least a month before Thomson can pick up a baseball.

In eight starts this season, Thomson is 3-2 with a 3.42 earned-run average.

The Braves already called up reliever Matt Childers from triple-A Richmond, but they haven’t decided who will take Thomson’s spot in the rotation.

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Cleveland outfielder Coco Crisp could be out three months after tearing a ligament in his right thumb while sliding into third base during a game earlier this week.

Crisp sustained a high-grade sprain Tuesday night against the Angels. While trying to stretch a double into a triple in the first inning, Crisp overslid the bag and jammed his thumb in the dirt.

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The Minnesota Twins optioned shortstop Jason Bartlett to triple-A Rochester and recalled infielder Luis Rodriguez from the minors.... Pat Borders, 42, the 1992 World Series MVP who has been playing in the minor leagues, was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations.