Tigers' Ordonez to miss two to three months

Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will be sidelined for two to three months after hernia surgery this week.

Ordonez, who signed a $75 million, five-year contract with Detroit during the offseason, will be operated on by Dr. Bill Meyers on Wednesday in Philadelphia.

"Mags is anxious to get this taken care of and get back to playing," Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said.

The Tigers had estimated Friday that the four-time All-Star would miss at least four to six weeks, but they increased their estimate Tuesday to eight to 12 weeks.

Rand said the estimate could change after the surgery, but the 31-year-old likely would begin a rehabilitation program in three weeks.

"We're all relieved," Tigers manager Alan Trammell said. "Now we can get on with the next phase. If we can get him for half a season, that would be great."

Ordonez missed 110 games with the Chicago White Sox last season because of a knee injury. He was sent back to Detroit from Minnesota last Wednesday because of what the team described as a viral infection. Ordonez has felt ill since the end of spring training and has played in just three games, going 0-for-10.

An examination by team doctors revealed Ordonez's hernia two weeks ago. The Tigers then sent him to Dr. Rea Brown, a hernia specialist in Montreal, who confirmed the diagnosis.

He visited Dr. Meyers on Monday and again Tuesday, when the decision was made to have the operation immediately.

Ordonez's physical condition was a subject of concern to many teams when he was on the free-agent market during the offseason. Clubs were wary to commit to a long-term deal because he was coming off surgery on his left knee.

The Tigers got some protection written into the contract, but only if he went on the disabled list for 25 days or more because of an injury to his left knee.

Red Sox put Wells on DL

David Wells went on the disabled list Tuesday and could be sidelined for more than a month after spraining his right foot.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the 41-year-old left-hander won't need surgery for the injury, sustained in the fourth inning of Monday night's 8-4 loss to Baltimore. Instead, Wells will rest and then rehabilitate the foot.

Boston recalled left-hander Lenny DiNardo from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Wells' roster spot.

Cubs place Fox on DL

Right-hander Chad Fox was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday by the Chicago Cubs with an injured right elbow.

Fox, who earned his first save in two years last week, had to leave Monday night's game against the Reds after wincing in pain after throwing a ninth-inning pitch -- his 29th of the inning.

Minor leaguer suspended

Seattle Mariners minor league outfielder Jamal Strong was suspended for 10 days Tuesday, making him the fourth player to test positive under major league baseball's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Strong, who played 12 games for Seattle in 2003, was with Class AAA Tacoma this season. The speedy leadoff man hit .235 with three RBIs through 12 games.

Strong, 26, was sent down to the minors in late March. He hit .324 with three homers, 24 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 64 games for Tacoma last year.

In 2003, he went 0-for-2 in his time with Seattle. He missed half of that season after dislocating his left shoulder on a headfirst slide.

Texas minor league pitcher Agustin Montero was suspended for 10 days last week under the new policy.