The Associated Press

PHOENIX - Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Richie Sexson will undergo season-ending surgery early next week to repair torn cartilage in his left shoulder. Sexson made the decision after getting a second opinion Wednesday from Dr. James Andrews, a noted sports surgeon in Birmingham, Ala. Both Andrews and Diamondbacks team doctor Michael Lee recommended the operation.

Sexson, acquired from Milwaukee in a nine-player deal in the offseason, played in just 23 games for Arizona. He hit .233, but had nine home runs and 23 RBI in 90 at-bats.

"It's horrible," Sexson said. "It's been the lowest point of my career, and possibly my life."

GARCIAPARRA: Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra hopes to be back in the Boston Red Sox lineup early next week, he said Thursday.

Sidelined all season because of a sore right Achilles' tendon, Garciaparra started a three-game rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket in Toledo Thursday.

He plans to fly to Boston after Saturday's game to be evaluated. If all goes well, he could be in Boston's lineup Tuesday. "I would like to," Garciaparra said. "But I've never put a definite time on it."

SUSPENSIONS: Talented and temperamental Dodgers center fielder Milton Bradley was suspended for four games for his tantrum earlier this week after an ejection. Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy was suspended for one game.

Angels pitcher John Lackey was suspended for five games for throwing at a Toronto batter May 24, and Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia was banned for one game.

All four were fined undisclosed amounts by the league.

GO TO JAIL: Former major-league umpire Al Clark was sentenced to four months in prison for his part in selling baseballs that he and a memorabilia dealer falsely claimed were used in historic games. After prison, Clark must serve four months under house arrest.

BUY ME SOME PEANUTS ...: Cracker Jack is back at Yankee Stadium.

The crunchy snack immortalized in the lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" returned after being briefly replaced this season by the competing caramel popcorn, Crunch 'n Munch.

Yankees officials changed their minds after the switch caused an outcry from fans and baseball purists.

STEROIDS: The House voted to limit sales of steroid precursors such as androstenedione following congressional and public pressure to stamp out performance-enhancing drug use among baseball players. The bill would ban over-the-counter sales of precursors, which act like steroids in the human body.