Rangers' Rodriguez Out For Season

Reigning AL MVP Ivan Rodriguez will miss the rest of the season for the Texas Rangers after breaking his right thumb in Monday night's game against Anaheim.

Rodriguez, regarded by many as the best all-around catcher in the majors, began the day batting .347 with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Rodriguez was hurt when his thumb hit Mo Vaughn's bat on a swinging third strike as he threw to second base on a steal attempt by Kevin Stocker.

Stocker was called out by home plate umpire Gerry Davis on batter's interference.

Rodriguez was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which revealed the fracture. The Rangers said he would have surgery Tuesday.

"As soon as it happened, my thumb went numb. There was swelling and I knew it was broken and I'd be out for the season," he said.

The Rangers, the AL West champion the last two seasons, began the night 10 1/2 games behind division-leading Seattle.

Rodriguez, 28, played earlier this month in his ninth straight All-Star game. He has won eight consecutive Gold Glove awards, an AL record.

This year, he had thrown out 16 of 33 (48.5 percent) would-be basestealers. Last year, he caught 54.2 percent, the fifth straight season he led the AL in that category.

Rodriguez won the MVP last year when he hit .332 with an AL-record 35 home runs by a catcher. He had 113 RBIs and scored 116 runs.