Aaron Boone may be out for the season

January 26, 200422 yr

NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone injured his left knee playing basketball and may be out for the season.

Boone was hurt about a week ago and may have torn an anterior cruciate ligament. The extent of the injury will not be known until swelling subsides, and he has not yet been examined by Yankees' doctors.

If there is a complete tear, he would require reconstructive surgery that could sideline him until 2005.

``We are currently evaluating the extent of the injury and expect to solicit multiple opinions before providing a complete diagnosis,'' general manager Brian Cashman said Monday.

The Yankees do not have a backup third baseman with full-time experience. Enrique Wilson and newly signed Miguel Cairo are options to fill the spot, as is minor leaguer Drew Henson.

New York acquired Boone from Cincinnati on July 31, and his 11th-inning homer off Boston's Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the AL championship series won the pennant for the Yankees.

He agreed Dec. 1 to a $5.75 million, one-year contract, and the contract contained language saying it would become nonguaranteed if he played basketball.

``Concerning his contract, I can confirm that there are certain prohibited activities, which include basketball,'' Cashman said.

Boone is eligible for free agency after next season, and if the Yankees successfully converted the deal to a nonguaranteed contract, they could release him and be responsible for only 30 days' termination pay, about $942,000.

The injury could create an opening for Henson, the former University of Michigan quarterback who has struggled in the Yankees' farm system.

Henson agreed to a $17 million, six-year contract with the Yankees in 2001. He hit .234 with 14 homers, 40 doubles and 78 RBIs at Triple-A Columbus this season. But he also struck out 122 times and made 28 errors at third base, and the trade for Boone signaled that New York did not think Henson would be ready for 2004.