Giambi Is Put on Disabled List

New York Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi was put on the disabled list Saturday for the first time in his 10-year career, giving him two weeks to rest a sprained ankle as well as other aches and pains.

Giambi hurt his right ankle when he stepped into a hole after rounding first base in the ninth inning of a 9-7 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Arlington, Texas. X-rays showed there was no break, but he left the stadium with his foot wrapped and using crutches.

“He said it’s great, but it doesn’t look great,” Manager Joe Torre said. “You more or less have to protect him from himself. An ankle is something you can’t do much for. A break, you can put a cast on it. He’s a big guy, and his swing puts a lot of stress on his legs.”

The ankle isn’t Giambi’s only problem. He sat out three games in the last week because of problems with his upper back and hip.

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Reggie Jackson’s number was retired by the Oakland Athletics in a brief ceremony before their game against the Kansas City Royals.

Jackson’s No. 9 is the third number to be retired by the team, joining Catfish Hunter’s No. 27 and Rollie Fingers’ No. 34.

“Oakland will always have a place in my heart,” said Jackson, who still owns a home in the area. “I was raised here, and I was developed here.”

The New York Yankees retired Jackson’s No. 44 in 1993, the same year he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

He becomes one of eight players to have his number retired by two or more teams, including Fingers, who was also honored by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jackson played for the A’s from 1967-75, helping them win three straight World Series titles from 1972-74. He hit 268 of his 563 homers with Oakland.

“My heart tugs every time I am here,” said Jackson, now a special advisor with the Yankees. “I wish I had the job here that I have in New York, but it was never offered. I need the game of baseball, and I’m not ashamed to say that.”