Tom Gordon Out Five Weeks

June 22, 1999 / 9:16 PM EDT / AP

Boston Red Sox reliever Tom Gordon has been told by doctors to rest his ailing right elbow for at least five weeks.

Gordon was placed on the disabled list June 14 with an elbow strain. After consulting with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama, the right-hander was told that he has a strained ligament in the elbow and must take an extended break.

"He said there is a very good chance that it can heal, but it's not going to happen if I go out and throw right away," Gordon said Tuesday before the Red Sox opened a three-game series against the Orioles.

Gordon, 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 saves, said Andrews suggested he rest 5-6 weeks. He had his major league-record string of converting 54 straight save opportunities end on June 5, and six days later blew a second straight save for the first time in his career.

In other news, the Red Sox plan to activate right-hander Bret Saberhagen from the disabled list Wednesday and start him against the Orioles. Saberhagen was placed on the DL on June 12, retroactive to June 8, after cutting his left foot during a pool party.

Saberhagen is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA this season.