Toe Injury Sidelines Griffey

Ken Griffey Jr. walked slowly and carefully Tuesday, a day after he dislocated a toe on his right foot while trying to make a catch. He was out of the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup, and had no guess about when he might be back.

Asked whether the injury could linger, Griffey said, “It shouldn’t.”

“Right now, we’re just waiting for the swelling to go down,” he said. “That’s it.”

It’s the first time that the 36-year-old outfielder has dislocated a toe. He jammed his cleats into the padded outfield wall as he reached for Barry Bonds’ two-run homer in the eighth inning Monday night.

Griffey couldn’t reach the home run, which tied the score and set up San Francisco’s 5-4 comeback win. And he lost his footing as well, twisting the toe next to his big toe.

Griffey was in an 0-for-12 slump when he dislocated the toe.

On Tuesday the Reds acquired right-handed pitcher Sun-Woo Kim and cash from the Colorado Rockies for future considerations.

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Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon will rest his tired shoulder, and be out indefinitely. The rookie right-hander came out of Friday night’s game against Toronto after feeling pain in his shoulder. Tests results showed no major damage, the Red Sox said.

The Red Sox acquired minor league catcher George Kottaras from San Diego to complete the trade that sent pitcher David Wells to the Padres.

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The seven shutouts in the major leagues Tuesday were the most in one day in 34 years.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the most shutouts on one day since there were a record eight on June 4, 1972, when 16 games were played. Thirteen games were played Tuesday.

Among those who pitched shutouts on June 4, 1972, were Bob Gibson, Catfish Hunter and Don Wilson.

There was one constant: Bruce Froemming, who umpired at third base in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, worked at first base when Wilson pitched a two-hitter in Montreal.