For the Angels, the classic may have played a role in a crucial August injury.

But a day after learning that ace Bartolo Colon probably would be shelved the rest of the season with a partial tear of his right rotator cuff, general manager Bill Stoneman was hesitant to place blame on the tournament.

''I don't know if it's fair to pin anything on the World Baseball Classic,'' Stoneman said. ''But knowing what we know now, would we have preferred to have had him in our camp? Yes.''

After a Cy Young Award-winning 2005 season, Colon stalled in the playoffs, suffering a shoulder tear. He announced himself fit for this year and made three starts for the Dominican Republic in the classic in March.

Colon, 33, opened the regular season with the Angels, laboring through three mediocre starts before being placed on the disabled list for two months with an inflamed shoulder.

He returned to make seven starts, but never regained the velocity of his fastball.

Now after the diagnosis, Colon hopes to avoid surgery with an aggressive rehabilitation that will include muscle strength and range of motion exercises.

Manager Mike Scioscia is hopeful Colon can begin throwing before the start of spring training.

''There's never going to be a day where you go, he's back and he's fine,'' Scioscia said. ''This is something he's going to have to stay on top of for the rest of his career.''

Foulke anxious to return

Keith Foulke says he's ready to pitch for Boston again.

''I'm waiting for a call,'' Foulke said after completing his second rehabilitation start in 72 hours Saturday night for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.

The former Red Sox closer was placed on Boston's 15-day disabled list June 13 with elbow tendinitis.

Foulke, who was on a 35-pitch limit Saturday against the Syracuse SkyChiefs, tossed the first two innings and completed his work by throwing 19 of 30 pitches for strikes.

Foulke cruised through the second, retiring the side in order with a strikeout.

''I feel pretty good,'' he said. ''The velocity as far as I know is in the upper 80s, which is good for now. Hopefully it will improve but it was consistent. I feel I made some good pitches.''

Around the horn

Braves: Atlanta optioned right-hander Jason Shiell to Triple-A Richmond. He was 0-2 with an 8.62 ERA in four appearances.

The Braves will purchase the contract of left-hander Wayne Franklin from Richmond before today's game against Cincinnati.

Diamondbacks: Arizona recalled right-hander Dustin Nippert from Triple-A Tucson. To make room, the Diamondbacks designated right-handed reliever Mike Koplove for assignment.

Red Sox: Boston purchased catcher Corky Miller's contract from Triple-A Pawtucket and designated pitcher Bryan Corey for assignment.

Miller hit .253 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs in 46 games at Pawtucket.

Yankees: Second baseman Miguel Cairo left Saturday's game because of a strained left hamstring and is expected to miss significant playing time.