The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Boston catcher Jason Varitek were suspended for four games apiece and fined $2,000 on Thursday, and six other players were punished for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl last week between New York and the Red Sox.

Yankees pitcher Tanyon Sturtze and Red Sox outfielders Gabe Kapler and Trot Nixon were suspended for three games and fined $1,000 by Bob Watson, MLB's vice president of on-field operations.

New York outfielder Kenny Lofton, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz were fined $500 each.

PIRATES: Kris Benson left Pittsburgh's clubhouse for perhaps the last time Thursday, convinced he'll be traded by Saturday.

The Twins have been the most aggressive team in pursuing Benson, who could be the most prized starting pitcher available before Saturday's deadline if Arizona doesn't deal Randy Johnson.

YANKEES: New York wants to build a $750 million stadium across the street from Yankee Stadium, Crain's New York Business reported Thursday. Citing anonymous sources close to the deal, Crain's reported on its Web site that the Yankees plan to announce their intentions within two weeks.

• Slugger Jason Giambi will stay home until the Yankees receive test results that show why he has felt so weak for so long, general manager Brian Cashman said. Diagnosed with an intestinal parasite June 29, Giambi has been fatigued for much of the season.

INDIANS: Left-hander Jason Stanford had Tommy John surgery to rebuild the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. He'll miss the rest of this season and could also miss next season.

RANGERS: Texas signed All-Star closer Francisco Cordero to an $8 million, two-year extension, avoiding arbitration and the free-agent market.

ATHLETICS: Oakland released veteran first baseman Eric Karros two days after designating him for assignment. Karros struggled in his first season with the A's, batting .194 with two homers and 11 RBI.

DIAMONDBACKS: Slugger Luis Gonzalez will have season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery Monday, but expects to return by next spring.

ROYALS: Outfielder Juan Gonzalez is expected to miss the rest of the season with a lower back injury.