Good News On Pedro Not Tom

Closer Tom Gordon may be lost for the season, staff ace Pedro Martinez may be back as early as next week and second baseman Jose Offerman will sit for a while.

The three developments came as the Red Sox shut out Toronto 8-0 Wednesday night to reclaim their hold on a wild-card spot from the Blue Jays.

Gordon, on the disabled list since June 11, said he was told that he probably would need season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

That word came from Alabama-based orthopedist James Andrews, after he reviewed films of the right-hander's last magnetic resonance imaging, taken two weeks ago.

"He read (the MRI) today and said he didn't like what he saw," Gordon said. "I told him that (team doctor Arthur Pappas) said he saw scar tissue. He (Andrews) said, 'From what I saw, the tear is still there."'

After his second MRI on July 15, Gordon resumed a throwing program, but reported continued discomfort. He said Pappas told him it appeared, from the buildup of scar tissue, that the ligament was healing.

"If I had taken care of this in spring training, where would I be?" said Gordon, who was still throwing as recently as Sunday. "He (Andrews) told me that I was taking a risk of totally blowing it (if he continued to throw)."

Several players in the Red Sox clubhouse have complained about the quality of the team's medical care. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra noted the time it took to determine that Gordon probably needed surgery.

"Our doctors are killing us," Garciaparra said to teammates. "This is just like the bone bruise."

He was referring to the original diagnosis made last year of Lou Merloni's leg injury, which later turned out be a stress fracture.

Gordon said he planned to return to Boston ahead of the team today to meet with Andrews, who leaves for vacation on Friday.

Martinez hasn't pitched since July 18, when he gave up nine runs in just 3 2-3 innings against the Florida Marlins. He will begin throwing on the side. He has been bothered by a sore right shoulder.

"He'll see the doctor (Pappas) on Friday, and if all goes according to what the doctor tells us to do, he'll probably pitch on Tuesday," pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said of the right-hander's return. "It all depends on what the doctor says Friday."

Said Martinez: "I know my body real well, and I'm telling you right now, I'm ready to pitch. I'll give you my paycheck, give me my outing.">

Offerman, signed to a four-year $26 million contract last winter, said he was told Wednesday by manager Jimy Williams that he is being benched indefinitely because of his defense. Rookie Donnie Sadler will be the second baseman until further notice.

"They pay me too much money to be on the bench," said Offerman, batting .272. "I don't want to be in this situation, that's for sure."

Offerman ranks next to last in fielding percentage among American League second basemen, with a .970 mark. The Yankees' Chuch Knoblauch, who has made 18 errors, is last at .959.

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