Tigers’ Polanco Says He Still Hopes to Play

Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco said Monday that he hopes to play this weekend at Kansas City, contradicting his assessment a day earlier when he stated he was finished for the season because of a separated left shoulder.

“I was very confused yesterday,” Polanco said. “I said it because I was really frustrated about a lot of things. We had just lost the game that we should have won, I’m not able to do anything and my arm is extremely hurting.”

A contrite Polanco said a cortisone shot he got Saturday, the first of his career, had initially caused him pain that was similar to the discomfort he felt in the days after the injury.

“I do apologize about yesterday,” Polanco said. “It was frustration. I was in a lot of pain. I regret it. I should have never said it.”

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir won’t pitch again this season because of a left shoulder injury.

Manager Joe Maddon announced the decision, which had been expected, after Tampa Bay’s 4-1 loss Monday to the Baltimore Orioles.

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Pete Rose never expected baseballs bearing his autograph and a printed apology for betting on baseball to be sold publicly, his business agent said.

A New Jersey auction house plans to put 30 such balls up for bid in April, unsure how much they’ll fetch.

Rose signed the baseballs for friends about a year ago but didn’t want them put up for sale, according to business agent Warren Greene.

The baseballs say “I’m sorry I bet on baseball” in block letters.