Sore Knee Will Put McGwire on the Bench

Mark McGwire’s sore knee kept him out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup Friday night, and the majors’ home run leader might not play at all the rest of the weekend heading into the All-Star break.

Manager Tony La Russa said he told McGwire, who left after three innings Thursday because of tendinitis in his right knee, to be ready to pinch-hit in the opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. But trainer Barry Weinberg said he was unavailable.

“It’s not worse, but it’s bad,” Weinberg said. “There’s no improvement. The normal things hurt him, driving his car and putting his foot on the brake, that’s how sore it is.”

The best treatment is rest, which could knock him out of the All-Star game.

“He’ll do the responsible thing as far as the fans,” La Russa said. “But if it’s clear that him swinging the bat aggravates it, he should take the time off.”

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Reliever Scott Williamson, the 1999 National League rookie of the year, is making a big career change.

The Cincinnati Reds shook up their struggling rotation by moving Ron Villone to the bullpen and turned Williamson into a starter.

They also put starter Osvaldo Fernandez on the disabled list and recalled reliever Scott Winchester from triple-A Louisville. Reliever Elmer Dessens will move into the rotation, taking Fernandez’s spot.

Williamson, 24, was a starter throughout his career until last season, when he made the staff as a reliever and became a co-closer with Danny Graves.

The right-hander has struggled this season, going 2-5 with a 3.65 ERA and six saves. He has walked 46 and thrown 13 wild pitches, eclipsing his totals for last season in both categories.

“Williamson has been a starter before,” Manager Jack McKeon said. “This is what he really likes to do. So psychologically we hope this can be a plus and get him back in the swing of things.”

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The Yankees sent left-hander Ed Yarnall to triple-A Columbus and recalled right-hander Darrell Einertson from Columbus. . . . Catcher Robert Fick was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Detroit Tigers after separating his right shoulder. The Tigers also demoted reliever Steve Sparks to triple-A Toledo. . . . Outfielder Chad Allen was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake City by the Minnesota Twins, who sent outfielder Butch Huskey outright to the Buzz. . . . American Financial Group Inc. agreed to pay $75 million over 30 years to name the Cincinnati Reds’ new stadium after its Great American Insurance Co. unit. The stadium, scheduled to open in 2003, will be called Great American Ball Park.