Garciaparra Out at Least Two Months

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra of the Chicago Cubs will be sidelined at least two months because of a torn left groin.

The Cubs put Garciaparra on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, one day after he was hurt while leaving the batter’s box during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Cub trainer Mark O’Neal said the muscle pulled away from the bone.

The Cubs, doctors and Garciaparra will decide in the next 10 days whether an operation is needed.

If Garciaparra opts for surgery, O’Neal said the procedure should be done fairly soon so the muscle heals properly.

“It’s a setback,” Cub Manager Dusty Baker said. “We don’t know yet what is going to happen. We’ll have to wait and see.”

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Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Ben Sheets was hospitalized in Houston because of an ear infection after complaining of nausea and dizziness.

Sheets was examined by Astro team doctor James Muntz and diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his inner ear, or vestibular neuritis, the same ailment that caused him to skip a start last May.

He will remain in the hospital overnight while the Brewers fly to San Francisco for a weekend series against the Giants. He will be reevaluated today.

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The New York Yankees put designated hitter Ruben Sierra on the 15-day disabled list because of what might be a slight tear of his right biceps. He is to have an MRI exam today to determine whether he has a tear. He was hurt while swinging at a changeup during Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

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The Baltimore Orioles planned to travel to Toronto on Thursday night without pitcher Sidney Ponson, whose inability to obtain a work permit in Canada could force him to skip Sunday’s scheduled start against the Blue Jays.