NEW YORK (REUTERS) — Boston Red Sox all-star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will begin the season on the disabled list because of a sore Achilles tendon, the team said Wednesday.
Garciaparra is expected to miss the first three weeks of the season as he focuses on easing the tendonitis in his right Achilles that has limited him to just eight at-bats during spring training games, said the Red Sox website.
The shortstop will fly back from Boston’s Fort Myers spring training site Thursday to begin his treatment program.
“I don’t like missing more time than I anticipated,” said Garciaparra. “But the good thing is we know we have a structured program to be able to talk to all the doctors and get everyone on the same page, and it’s like, all right, this is the best way we can attack this so I can get it out of there as quick as possible.”
Garciaparra, who recently married U.S. women’s soccer great Mia Hamm, was injured by a ball in batting practice March 5 and has only played intermittently since. He has not seen any action since the March 17 game against the Indians.
The Red Sox have not put a timetable on Garciaparra’s return but hope to have him back in the lineup at the start of May following a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.
The Red Sox attempted to replace Garciaparra with league MVP Alex Rodriguez in a turbulent offseason, but he remains key to Boston’s hopes of claiming top spot in the American League east ahead of bitter rivals the New York Yankees.
Last season Garciaparra hit .301 with 28 home runs and 105 RBIs.
