Gerut Challenges Pirates

Jody Gerut was put on the minor league restricted list Thursday by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the outfielder decided to have right knee surgery the team doesn’t think is necessary.

The move means Gerut, who was sent to triple-A Indianapolis during the Pirates’ final spring training cutdown last month, won’t be paid his $875,000 salary. He also must pay any travel costs associated with an operation that, according to General Manager Dave Littlefield, probably will be performed soon.

Gerut, who hit 22 home runs as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians in 2003, was limited to 170 at-bats with the Indians, Cubs and Pirates in 2005 after undergoing reconstructive right knee surgery.

After unexpectedly being demoted to Indianapolis on March 31, Gerut, 28, called Littlefield that night and said he was again having problems with his right knee.

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The Washington Nationals optioned outfielder Brandon Watson and backup catcher Wiki Gonzalez to triple-A New Orleans and recalled outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris.