Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez still might need surgery on his broken left index finger if tests later this week show that the fracture has spread, Boston's team doctor said yesterday. The American League batting leader has missed two weeks with the injury, which was expected to keep him out of the Red Sox lineup for four to six weeks. He's expected back from his Florida home this week when X-rays and a CT scan will be done. "If his fracture has not changed since his last X-ray, we'll continue with non-surgical treatment," Dr. Bill Morgan said.

Manny Ramirez doesn't need surgery on the broken finger that will sideline him at least four weeks, but the injury will be monitored to see if the fracture spreads. The determination was made after the Red Sox outfielder, injured in Seattle on Saturday night in a headfirst slide into home, had a CT scan yesterday at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston. Ramirez, the American League's batting leader, at .372, plans to get a second opinion today in Miami from Dr. John Urive. Dr. Bill Morgan, the Red Sox team physician, doesn't think surgery is needed now on the left index finger, Boston interim general manager Mike Port said.

Manny Ramirez might try to take the Cleveland Indians long and deep for a new contract. Ramirez, the RBI machine who is eligible for free agency after the World Series, and his agent, Jeff Moorad, are expected to ask the Indians for a long-term, "career" contract next week when they meet with Indians owner Larry Dolan and general manager John Hart. An Indians spokesman confirmed yesterday that the sides will discuss Ramirez's future next week, but that a day and location had not been determined.

Jim Thome promised after Wednesday night's loss that he was through chasing pitches. He would make Braves righthander Greg Maddux throw a strike. Then he grounded the ball back to Maddux in his first at-bat and popped to third in his second at-bat, beating himself on his head each time as he ran back to the dugout. Thome's next at-bat came with two men on in the sixth inning of a 2-2 tie. Once again he swung at the first pitch, and two of the first three. Once again he was anxious and in a hole.