Saberhagen Ready to Retire

Bret Saberhagen of the Boston Red Sox knows he’s not the pitcher he once was. He also knows it’s about time to go.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was praised two weeks ago for his comeback from shoulder surgery. But he has returned to the disabled list and has realized that his skills have diminished.

Frustrated because of a poor outing Tuesday against the Oakland A’s, Saberhagen said he has decided to retire at the end of the season.

“That’s it, I’m all done,” he said.

Saberhagen is 1-2 with a 6.00 earned-run average in three starts this season, his first appearances in the majors since shoulder surgery in 1999. Two weeks ago, he drew a standing ovation at Fenway Park after limiting the Chicago White Sox to one run and three hits in six innings--a start that was hailed as a boost to Boston’s playoff chances.

But in his next outing, Saberhagen gave up six earned runs in five-plus inning against the Angels. Then he left Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to the Athletics after four innings, giving up seven hits and three runs. Once again, his shoulder felt tight and he decided the next day to go back on the disabled list.

San Diego Padre outfielder Rickey Henderson, the major leagues’ career leader in stolen bases and walks, said he wants to play one more season.

The 42-year-old Henderson, 29 hits short of 3,000 for his career and 20 runs away from breaking Ty Cobb’s career record of 2,245, said that San Diego, Oakland and Seattle would be his favored destinations.

“I just want to go to a club that will give me the opportunity to play baseball,” said Henderson, who became the career leader in walks in April and is on the verge of becoming the 25th player to reach 3,000 hits.

Doctors found a partially torn muscle and a bone chip in pitcher Pete Harnisch’s right elbow during exploratory surgery but said the Cincinnati Red right-hander should be ready for spring training. . . . The Texas Rangers activated outfielder Chad Curtis and optioned right-hander Joaquin Benoit to triple-A Oklahoma City. Curtis had been on the disabled list since May 3 because of a pulled right hamstring. . . . Minnesota Twin third baseman Corey Koskie missed his second consecutive game because of a virus. . . . The Houston Astros’ Moises Alou, the major leagues’ leading batter, is expected to miss several games because of a sore right hamstring. . . . St. Louis Cardinal outfielder J.D. Drew is expected to be out until Sunday because of lower back stiffness.