Sheffield Put on 15-Day DL

The New York Yankees put outfielder Gary Sheffield on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, and All-Star closer Mariano Rivera became the latest ailing player on the club.

Rivera hurt his back early Thursday, and he wasn’t available for Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

Sheffield had been bothered by a wrist injury since an April collision with Toronto’s Shea Hillenbrand, and he aggravated it this week.

Tests showed a torn ligament in the wrist, as well as a tendon that continues to dislocate. He will be put in a splint and undergo physical therapy.

*

The Minnesota Twins sent right-hander Scott Baker, who was 2-5 with a 6.06 earned-run average in nine starts, to triple-A Rochester. He gave up 66 hits in 49 innings. His fate was sealed when he gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings of Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss to the Angels.

*

Detroit Tigers left-hander Mike Maroth is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today to remove bone chips from his left elbow. Maroth, who has been dealing with elbow problems since April, is 5-2 with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts.... The Oakland Athletics put second baseman Mark Ellis, who has a broken right thumb, on the 15-day disabled list.