Elbow Injury Ends Year for Reds’ Williamson

Reliever Scott Williamson of the Cincinnati Reds, the National League rookie of the year in 1999, has a torn elbow ligament and will need season-ending reconstructive surgery.

Williamson had swelling in the elbow after a 3-2 victory Tuesday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates. A magnetic resonance imaging test on Wednesday found a complete tear in the ligament that runs inside the right elbow. “With a young pitcher like Scott Williamson, who has an otherwise pristine elbow, there’s a good chance of a comeback in a year’s time,” Dr. Timothy Kremchek said.

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Right-handed setup man Mark Leiter, acquired by the Colorado Rockies last week in a trade with the New York Mets, was part of a six-player trade between the Rockies and Brewers. Milwaukee also got pitcher Mike DeJean and infielder Elvis Pena. The Rockies got pitchers Juan Acevedo and Kane Davis and minor league infielder Jose Flores.

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Baseball broke a big barrier on opening day, with the average salary pushing past $2 million for the first time. Nearly half the players in the major leagues--425 of 854--will make $1 million or more, according the Associated Press’ study. The average salary increased 13.9% to $2,264,403.

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The Montreal Expos placed backup catcher Sandy Martinez on the 60-day disabled list because of a torn ligament in his right elbow. . . . Infielder Mike Benjamin of the Pittsburgh Pirates will be sidelined at least six weeks because of a right elbow injury. . . . Infielder Ron Coomer of the Chicago Cubs went on the 15-day disabled list because of a knee injury. . . . Roger Clemens expects to have his next start for the New York Yankees pushed back a day because of a sore right wrist. . . . Outfielder Kenny Kelly, a former University of Miami quarterback who gave up football to sign with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last year, was traded to the Seattle Mariners for cash.