Radke Plans His Return

The Minnesota Twins are skipping Brad Radke’s next start, but the veteran right-hander said Thursday that his hurting right shoulder will not prevent him from pitching again this year.

Radke, 12-9 with a 4.46 earned-run average and a major reason why the Twins have surged back into playoff contention, has torn cartilage and probably will retire after the season. But he said he plans to return soon.

“There’s no question about it,” said Radke, who pitched last Friday. “I’m not going to go out like that.”

He will try to play catch early next week, and the Twins will reevaluate him then.

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The Twins acquired first baseman Phil Nevin and cash from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named.

Nevin, 35, had already been dealt this season, moving from the Texas Rangers to the Cubs on May 31 for Jerry Hairston Jr. He was batting .274 with 12 homers and 33 runs batted in in 179 at-bats for Chicago.

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Houston right-hander Brandon Backe will undergo ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow, an operation that could sideline him until 2008.

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David Ortiz said he is in good health after experiencing heart palpitations and expects to return to the lineup Saturday.

“My health is fine. The doctors have told me to rest today and practice Friday so I can be ready to return to the playing field on Saturday,” he said Thursday on a radio station in his native Dominican Republic.

However, Red Sox spokesman John Blake said that it’s “very premature” to think Ortiz will play Saturday.

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Mark Mulder, who has an injured left shoulder, was put back on the 15-day disabled list a day after the St. Louis Cardinals left-hander expressed doubt he will pitch again this season.