The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Cleveland Indians shortstop Ricky Gutierrez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a career-threatening compression of the spinal cord.

Gutierrez was activated from the 60-day disabled list June 24 after rehabbing from fusion surgery in October on two vertebrae in his upper back and neck. He appeared in 16 games this season.

He is batting.260 with three RBI. He will not return this season.

"It is tough, but there is always a good side," Gutierrez said. "Being able to come back and play in the 16 games that I did play, shows me that there is still a chance. I think I can do it."

CUBS: Chicago placed Mark Prior on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a right shoulder contusion. The right-hander injured the shoulder after colliding with Atlanta Braves infielder Marcus Giles on July 11 Prior, 8-5 with a 3.01 ERA, is the first Cubs starter to miss a turn this season. Right-hander Sergio Mitre was recalled from Double-A West Tenn to pitch in Prior's place today. EXPOS: Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and right-hander Luis Ayala were activated from the 15-day disabled list. Guerrero missed 39 games with a herniated disc. He was batting .301 with eight homers and 33 RBI before going on the DL June 6.

Ayala was out for nearly a month with inflammation in his right shoulder.

WHAT CURSE? New Hampshire's Mary Jo Ray, 108, was at her first Red Sox game on Sunday. She went to a game last year but it was rained out. The Red Sox have won five World Series in her lifetime, the last in 1918.

SHORT HOPS: Jose Canseco will remain in jail until at least next month after a judge delayed a decision Monday on whether the former slugger violated probation and should go to prison for 15 years.

• The Phillies designated left-handed reliever Hector Mercado for assignment Monday to make room for All-Star closer Mike Williams. Mercado had a 5.79 ERA with one save in 13 games.

• The Minnesota Twins have discovered that first-round draft pick Matt Moses has a heart condition, delaying the completion of his contract.