Matheny Out for Season

San Francisco Giants catcher Mike Matheny has made little progress in his recovery from a concussion and will not play again this season, the team said.

After another series of tests and appointments with specialists at the University of Pittsburgh last week, Matheny and the Giants’ medical staff decided that he should sit out the rest of 2006 to reduce the risk of further damage to his brain.

Matheny has been sidelined since May 31 and is still experiencing “fogginess,” memory loss, dizzy spells and headaches. He was hit in the head several times by foul balls during a three-game series at Florida, then left a game against the New York Mets in the third inning after getting hit by a foul tip.

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Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek will have surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, and he is expected to miss at least one month.

Varitek was hurt when Angels catcher Mike Napoli slid into him while blocking the plate Saturday.

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Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood decided against having surgery to repair his injured right shoulder.

Wood made only four starts this season following shoulder surgery on Aug. 31 and will miss the rest of the year because of a partially torn rotator cuff. He hopes to return next season as a reliever.

With the Cubs holding a $13.5-million option on Wood for next season, he may have pitched his final game for them. The deal has a $3-million buyout.

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The Baltimore Orioles’ Kris Benson experienced pain in his elbow while throwing on the side in his recovery from tendinitis, leaving open the possibility the right-hander could be headed for the 15-day disabled list. A decision is expected Friday.

Benson last pitched on July 25.

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The Tampa Bay Devil Rays placed reliever Travis Harper on the 15-DL because of a right shoulder injury.