Giambi waiting for test results
New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi will receive test results today that might explain why he’s been feeling so weak for months.
Giambi, sidelined earlier this season because of an intestinal parasite, played down a report Monday that he was being checked for a parasite that can cause a potentially fatal condition.
“We’re not in a third-world country, so we have medication,” Giambi said.
Giambi’s trainer, Bob Alejo, told the Newark Star-Ledger that the All-Star first baseman is being tested for a dangerous parasite called entamoeba histolytica.
Giambi expects to learn more about his status today, when he is scheduled to meet with Dr. Scott Hammer, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York.
“I want to see what this guy says before we make any decisions,” Giambi said. “All these tests have been run and he’s going to look them over.”
The 33-year-old Giambi missed four of New York’s previous five games. He is hitting just .221 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs. The 2000 A.L. MVP, who did not start in eight straight games from June 26 to July 4 because of the parasite, is in an 0-for-21 slump.
“When I was playing I was thinking I was just going to gut it out, but I’m obviously not going in that direction,” Giambi said. “I feel a little bit better than when I first got diagnosed with it, but it’s just not close to the level I want to be at and the team needs me to be at.”
New York manager Joe Torre said the team was just waiting to learn more about Giambi’s condition.
“We still don’t know anything more than we did two days ago,” Torre said.
•Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez plans to appeal any suspension he might receive for his role in Saturday’s brawl with the Boston Red Sox.
“Whatever it is I’m going to appeal it,” Rodriguez said. “When somebody attacks you have to protect yourself.”
Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo hit Rodriguez with a pitch Saturday, prompting the A.L. MVP to stare at the mound as he moved slowly toward first base. Boston catcher Jason Varitek positioned himself in front of Rodriguez and the two began jawing before Varitek, still wearing his mask, pushed Rodriguez in the face.
“What was said, from my half, was simply a rebut and a reply,” Rodriguez said. “What was said under the mask was a lot greater.”
Rodriguez said he merely stood up for himself.
“If someone challenges you like that, I’m going to stand up to it,” he said.
Told that Varitek missed Sunday’s game after he injured his wrist in the brawl, Rodriguez joked: “I’m stronger than I look.”
Griffey not close to return
Ken Griffey Jr. isn’t close to coming back.
Griffey took batting practice Monday before the Cincinnati Reds’ game, but had to scuttle plans to work out in the outfield because of rain. Showers left the grass wet.
The center fielder tore his right hamstring while chasing a flyball on July 10. He ran the bases cautiously and caught flyballs over the weekend.
He won’t be reinstated from the disabled list until he can chase flyballs and run the bases at full speed without problem, trainer Mark Mann said.
•Reds outfielder Jason Romano has a torn right hamstring that will need season-ending surgery, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Cincinnati called up shortstop Felipe Lopez from Triple-A Louisville.
Clearing the bases
Fred McGriff was released by the Devil Rays, ending his bid to reach 500 career home runs with his hometown team. The 40-year-old first baseman was designated for assignment on July 17… . The Indians traded infielder-outfielder Russell Branyan to the Brewers for cash. The Brewers also designated former Washington Huskies outfielder Chris Magruder for assignment… Minnesota Twins second baseman Nick Punto broke his right collar bone while charging a ball in the first inning of Monday’s game with the Chicago White Sox.