The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Trying to make certain he doesn't need surgery on his injured right knee, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Brian Giles asked for a second medical opinion Tuesday.

Giles, the Pirates' top offensive player for four years, was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament after being hurt sliding into second base Thursday against Milwaukee. Giles initially felt a twinge in the knee but didn't have any pain until waking up Friday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the initial prognosis was he would be ready to play after two to four weeks of rehabilitation.

Baseball's labor agreement allows players to request a second opinion, so Giles' test results were forwarded Tuesday to Reds medical director Tim Kremchek. The Pirates are waiting for his report.

Giles is hopeful he won't be out any longer than the Pirates anticipate, but he doesn't want to take any chances. This is his first knee injury and the first time he has been on the disabled list since being traded by Cleveland to Pittsburgh before the 1999 season.

"As far as soreness and tenderness goes, it's still there," Giles said before the Mets-Pirates game Tuesday night. "It's getting better and I'm optimistic I'm not going to miss a lot of time, but it does still hurt."

BREWERS: Oft-injured outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds is making his eighth trip to the disabled list. Hammonds went on the 15-day DL Tuesday with a sprained right ankle. He was hurt Monday night when he jammed his ankle into the wall in right-center field while trying to rob St. Louis' Orlando Palmeiro of a home run.

YANKEES: Closer Mariano Rivera threw 40 pitches in batting practice Tuesday as he recovers from a groin strain. Rivera could rejoin the team next week.