Sheffield Could Be Out 3 Months

[Tom Kessenich]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield could be sidelined for up to three months because of a jammed right thumb.



Sheffield got hurt in a spring training game Saturday against Toronto. At first, the Yankees thought it was just a bruise. But after an MRI exam Sunday, the team decided Monday to send him to a hand expert in New York.



``Now, I'm officially worried about it,'' general manager Brian Cashman said.



Cashman said the worst-case scenario would be that Sheffield requires surgery, meaning he would be out two to three months. The best-case scenario, Cashman said, would be that the right fielder could return for spring training games.



New York already is without center fielder Bernie Williams, who had an appendectomy and will probably miss the season-opening two-game series against Tampa Bay in Tokyo.



Sheffield said he aggravated a thumb injury from last season.