Nomar Garciaparra

There has been so much focus in recent days on money and the Phillies' efforts to sign core talent to new contracts that it's easy to forget the team still is looking for a piece or two as it prepares to defend its World Series title. Tops on general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.'s list is a righthanded bat to come off the bench. Amaro would like to sign veteran infielder Nomar Garciaparra, but the former two-time American League batting champion has not decided whether he wants to continue his career or retire.

Still waiting to hear whether Nomar Garciaparra wants to continue his playing career, the Phillies have shown an interest in several other righthanded hitters who might be able to fill a reserve role with the club. A major-league source said yesterday that the Phils have pursued veteran free agent Moises Alou "pretty hard. " Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed interest in the 42-year-old Alou but did not sound as if a deal was imminent. "It's a possibility," Amaro said.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who hasn't played all season because of a sore Achilles tendon, is to begin a rehabilitation assignment in triple A today. Garciaparra plans to play two games with Pawtucket in Louisville, Ky., then return to Boston to work with a therapist for a couple of days. He is expected to rejoin the farm team in Toledo, Ohio, after an off-day on Wednesday. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Garciaparra will play four or five innings and bat leadoff to maximize his at-bats.

The Yankees would prefer that Alex Rodriguez plays with a hip injury, but manager Joe Girardi said surgery before Opening Day remains an option for New York's third baseman. "Ultimately it comes down to Alex; what he feels is best, get the information, talk about it as an organization," Girardi said yesterday in Tampa, Fla. "Talk about it with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It's a tough decision no matter what. " Rodriguez had additional tests on his injured right hip in Colorado yesterday, according to team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner.

Nomar Garciaparra said his season is not over. Without him, Boston's might be. The Red Sox placed the all-star shortstop on the 15-day disabled list yesterday after an MRI showed swelling in his surgically repaired right wrist. "It just wasn't recovering the way it should be," said Garciaparra, who underwent surgery in April and missed nearly the first four months of the season. Garciaparra said he needs two weeks of rest before deciding whether he can play again this season.

The Phillies' Bobby Abreu came up short in his bid for another All-Star Game appearance. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra earned the final National League all-star spot in Internet voting. The game is Tuesday at Pittsburgh's PNC Park. Garciaparra beat out Milwaukee pitcher Chris Capuano, Abreu, New York Mets closer Billy Wagner and San Diego pitcher Chris Young. Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski topped Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano for the final American League spot.

Nomar Garciaparra will play first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season, it was announced yesterday. A five-time All-Star at shortstop, Garciaparra agreed to a 1-year deal with the Dodgers Sunday. It will pay him $6 million in base salary, with performance bonuses that could add $4 million. The Dodgers also are said to be close to signing former Phillies centerfielder Kenny Lofton. In other baseball news: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a 3-year, $15 million contract.

Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, the 1997 American League rookie of the year, has a mild shoulder separation and will probably miss at least a week, the team said after he was examined yesterday. Garciaparra hurt the shoulder diving for Shane Halter's single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning of Friday's game at Kansas City, and sat out games on Saturday and Sunday. To replace Garciaparra, the Red Sox purchased the contract of infielder Lou Merloni from triple-A Pawtucket of the International League.

D?j? vu all over again? Only four of the New York Mets in Wednesday's lineup against the Washington Nationals were with them when they lost 12 of their last 17 games last season to hand the National League East title to the Phillies. After beating the Nationals, 7-2, last night, New York remained a half-game behind the Phils. This is a different Mets team, third baseman David Wright says. When he talks about last season, he refers to "that team," not "our team. " "Last year was a failed opportunity," Wright said.

Nomar Garciaparra's long-awaited debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers could come as soon as Saturday. The team sent the converted first baseman on a 2-day minor league rehab assignment with Triple A Las Vegas last night. The plan is to let Garciaparra play about six innings tonight and then play for a longer stretch tomorrow. "If everything goes well, he'll be here in Saturday, "said Dodgers manager Grady Little, who managed Garciaparra in Boston. Garciaparra, who turns 33 in July, strained the rib-cage muscle in his right side on April 2 at Anaheim while swinging at a pitch in the Dodgers' final exhibition game.

The Yankees would prefer that Alex Rodriguez plays with a hip injury, but manager Joe Girardi said surgery before Opening Day remains an option for New York's third baseman. "Ultimately it comes down to Alex; what he feels is best, get the information, talk about it as an organization," Girardi said yesterday in Tampa, Fla. "Talk about it with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It's a tough decision no matter what. " Rodriguez had additional tests on his injured right hip in Colorado yesterday, according to team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner.

Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday agreed to general terms on a 2-year, $45 million deal, a source told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas. A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that obstacles still remain before the contract can be finalized. The sides had been at odds over the Dodgers' desire to defer some of the salary payments. The leftfielder, whose acquisition from Boston last summer sparked the Dodgers' run to the National League Championship Series, was expected to travel to Los Angeles last night.

Still waiting to hear whether Nomar Garciaparra wants to continue his playing career, the Phillies have shown an interest in several other righthanded hitters who might be able to fill a reserve role with the club. A major-league source said yesterday that the Phils have pursued veteran free agent Moises Alou "pretty hard. " Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed interest in the 42-year-old Alou but did not sound as if a deal was imminent. "It's a possibility," Amaro said.

There has been so much focus in recent days on money and the Phillies' efforts to sign core talent to new contracts that it's easy to forget the team still is looking for a piece or two as it prepares to defend its World Series title. Tops on general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.'s list is a righthanded bat to come off the bench. Amaro would like to sign veteran infielder Nomar Garciaparra, but the former two-time American League batting champion has not decided whether he wants to continue his career or retire.

LOS ANGELES - Charlie Manuel left the madness on the field last night at Dodger Stadium to return to the quiet of his office, but he never stopped smiling and he never stopped feeling the way he felt. Why stop now? "I've been to the World Series, but I've never really won one," Manuel said. "This is going to be the year. I can feel it, yeah. " The Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to clinch their first NL pennant since 1993 and put them four victories away from their first World Series championship in 28 years and their second in their 125-year history.

Two things the Phillies did not want to see early last night: Jamie Moyer throwing balls over the heart of the plate. And the Dodger Stadium crowd getting loud and excited. Both happened. Moyer is a master mixologist when he is hitting his spots. He's just another guy behind the bar when he's not. The Dodgers ambushed Moyer for six runs in 1 1/3 innings. Most of the damage was done on pitches that Moyer wishes he had located better. Manny Ramirez drove in a run on a first-pitch fastball over the middle of the plate with no outs in the first.

LOS ANGELES - In Boston, when he failed, and in New York, when he didn't, he was known as "Freakin' Nomah!" For Phillies lefty Jamie Moyer, Nomar Garciaparra has always been a cause of anxiety. Garciaparra last night started for the first time in the playoffs. He replaced first baseman James Loney, the Dodgers' most consistent playoff hitter, who was coming off a 2-for-4 performance in Game 2 and who was 1-for-2 against Moyer. Garciaparra was 15-for-36 against Moyer, with eight extra-base hits.

LOS ANGELES - Everywhere you looked, the odds were stacked against the Phillies last night. The starting pitcher had a history of struggles against some key components of the Dodgers' lineup. The opposing pitcher had allowed just four hits in two regular-season starts against the Phillies. Even history - the Phillies entered the night just 3-11 all-time in the third game of a playoff series - favored Los Angeles. But the various factors that conspired against them didn't make a 7-2 loss loss any easier to take.

If you like the game within the game, last night's ninth inning was right in your power alley. Brad Lidge sealed the Phillies' 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series with his 45th straight save in a Phils uniform. Lidge walked two batters in the inning - he was understandably cautious pitching to Manny Ramirez leading off the frame - as the Dodgers brought the potential tying run to the plate with one out. Matt Kemp had the first chance to dent the Phillies' closer.

The Los Angeles Dodgers added lefthanded relief pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo to their 25-man roster for the National League Championship Series yesterday and left off Takashi Saito, their leader in saves during the regular season. Kuo missed the Dodgers' division series against the Chicago Cubs with a sore arm that had sidelined him since Sept. 14. During the season, Kuo went 5-3 in 42 games, including three starts, with a 2.14 ERA. His 1.69 ERA as a reliever was tops in the National League among pitchers with at least 50 innings of work.