Guillen Could Be Out Three Months

Washington National outfielder Jose Guillen has a wrist injury that could require surgery and sideline him for three months.

Guillen was examined early Friday by a hand specialist, who diagnosed swollen tendons and a damaged tendon in the left wrist.

Guillen felt discomfort during batting practice Wednesday and later told the team he thought he had hurt himself during weight training.

The doctor recommended surgery, which would probably keep Guillen out of the lineup until June. The Nationals said Guillen will travel to Baltimore today for a second opinion.

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Chicago Cub pitcher Kerry Wood will have minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee next week, General Manager Jim Hendry said.

Wood’s surgery is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old Wood had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last Aug. 31 and was not expected to be ready for the start of this season.

He has thrown off the mound a couple of times in spring training to test his shoulder.

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Florida Marlin second baseman Pokey Reese failed to show up for two consecutive days of spring training without explanation, briefly raising concerns regarding his whereabouts before he contacted his agent, the team said.

General Manager Larry Beinfest said Reese gave no indication that he was taking time off, and for two days the team had no idea where he was.

“We tried to track him down starting yesterday,” Beinfest said. “He was playing well. He looked healthy. We were happy with him, and he appeared to be happy.”

Worries were allayed Friday evening by Reese’s agent, Mike Nicotera, who informed the team that Reese was safe but provided no details.

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Minor league baseball umpires voted to authorize their first strike since forming a union in 2000 and said triple-A members would not serve as fill-in major league umpires until there is a contract.

The minor league umpires, whose five-year labor deal expired in November, had previously voted not to work spring training games. The decision whether to strike will be made by the union’s officers.

The union represents about 220 umpires in 16 leagues.

Management and the union have not met since Jan. 31, when the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation made what the union termed management’s final offer.