CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox star Magglio Ordonez went back on the
disabled list Friday because of an injured left knee and could
spend up to eight weeks on crutches, putting in doubt his status
for the rest of the season.
Ordonez has a fluid problem in his knee, stemming from a
collision the All-Star right fielder had with second baseman Willie
Harris on May 19 in Cleveland.
Ordonez went on the 15-day disabled list a week after the
collision and had surgery to repair torn cartilage on June 5.
Now, with the White Sox a half-game behind AL Central-leading
Minnesota going into the weekend and already missing slugger Frank
Thomas, Ordonez again is on the 15-day DL.
Ordonez will spend from four to eight weeks on crutches, and
will only be able to exercise through a swimming regimen.
Ordonez will be re-evaluated by team physicians after four weeks
to determine if he will be available to begin a rehabilitation
program.
``It breaks my heart,'' White Sox general manager Ken Williams
said before Friday night's game against Detroit. ``I just saw
Magglio inside and he was close to having tears in his eyes.''
``You can't really say much to him, other than put your arm
around him and give him a hug and wish him well,'' he said. ``I can
only hope it's more along the lines of four weeks.''
Ordonez is hitting .292 with nine homers and 37 RBIs this
season. The four-time All-Star missed 36 games earlier because of
his knee injury and came off the disabled list on July 8.
The White Sox went 17-19 without Ordonez. He was only 7-for-35
with one home run and three RBIs in 10 games during his brief
return.
Thomas is sidelined for at least eight weeks with a stress
fracture in his left ankle. He was placed on the disabled list July
10 and also could miss the remainder of the season.
The White Sox recalled outfielder Joe Borchard from Triple-A
Charlotte. He is hit .158 in six games with Chicago.