Dykstra Halts Comeback

Philadelphia Phillies’ outfielder Lenny Dykstra, 35, once one of baseball’s best leadoff hitters, is ending his comeback bid for now, and maybe for good.

Dykstra, who sat out the last 1 1/2 seasons recovering from major back surgery, on Tuesday said he’s going to take at least “a few months” off because of recurring back pain. His immediate plan is to visit two back specialists, then decide whether to attempt another comeback.

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The Boston Red Sox denied they are on the verge of offering Mo Vaughn a four-year contract worth approximately $50 million.

“We don’t have any plans,” Chief Executive John Harrington said at the owners’ meetings in St. Petersburg, Fla. “It was an erroneous report.”

Earlier in the day, Vaughn dismissed the Boston Globe story as “speculation,” saying he could not be sure of anything until he and his agent, Tom Reich, had an offer in hand.

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The Cleveland Indians have lost the services of all-star catcher Sandy Alomar for about two weeks because of a groin injury he suffered Monday during a 6-4 loss to Detroit. . . . New York Yankee backup infielder Luis Sojo is expected to be sidelined for four weeks because of a stress fracture in his left hand. Sojo likely will start the season on the disabled list. . . . Philadelphia Phillie pitcher Curt Schilling had a white lesion in his mouth surgically removed last Thursday in Clearwater, Fla. Schilling discovered the lesion, which was caused by smokeless tobacco, on March 8 during his yearly team physical. If not treated, lesions can became cancerous. Schilling was unavailable for comment, but Manager Terry Francona said his opening-day starter promised to give up smokeless tobacco immediately. . . . Toronto Blue Jay shortstop Alex Gonzalez was hit on his batting helmet by a Hideki Irabu pitch but was not seriously hurt. He left the Yankee-Blue Jay game at Tampa, Fla., and will be reexamined after the Blue Jays’ game today. . . . Cuban defector Orlando Hernandez flew to the United States from San Jose, Costa Rica, to join the New York Yankees for spring training in Florida. . . . Florida Marlin Manager Jim Leyland has settled on a pitching rotation with a combined 15 career victories. World Series MVP Livan Hernandez will be joined by converted reliever Felix Heredia and three rookie right-handers: Brian Meadows, Rafael Medina and Eric Ludwick. Leyland also named Craig Counsell as his starting second baseman. That means highly regarded Luis Castillo, 22, likely will begin the season at triple-A Charlotte. . . . Former Angel Mark Langston pitched five scoreless innings for his best outing this spring in the San Diego Padres’ 15-11 victory over the Oakland Athletics.