 07/22/2004 6:28 PM ET
Giambi's tests come back negative
Uncertainty continues over recovery from parasite
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By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com |
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| Jason Giambi is feeling well enough to play, but is hitless in 16 at-bats since the All-Star break. (Kathy Willens/AP)
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NEW YORK -- Jason Giambi still doesn't know why he has taken so long to recover from the intestinal parasite that has plagued him for more than a month, but some of his fears were put aside as results of his blood tests began to come in.
According to general manager Brian Cashman, several of Giambi's tests -- including one for cancer -- have come back negative, as the Yankees wait for the rest of his results over the next few days.
"Everything we've gotten back thus far is negative," Cashman said. "I think we can [rule out cancer]."
Giambi, who has missed the last two games while undergoing a battery of blood tests, told reporters on Wednesday that he had undergone cancer tests among others. Thursday's newspapers reported that Giambi was waiting for results on a cancer test, sending shockwaves throughout his inner circle of friends and family.
"Reading the papers today, all of the editors are out of control," said Giambi, who received several phone calls from friends asking about his condition. "We weren't really looking for that. Everybody put that out there as the big word, but we weren't looking for it. We just wanted to make sure we turned over every stone."
Giambi did not start in eight straight games from June 26 through July 4 because of the parasite, which had sapped him of his strength and affected his vision. He returned to the lineup on July 5 and played in the All-Star Game, but he is hitless in 16 at-bats since the break.
He went to Cashman and team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon with his concerns about his recovery, prompting the most recent round of tests.
"We just wanted to make sure we alleviated any concerns, looked at every possibility," said Cashman, referring to the cancer test. "We ran all the tests possible to get him some peace of mind."
Giambi visited an infectious disease specialist on Thursday for more tests, arriving at Yankee Stadium in the late innings of New York's 1-0 win over Toronto.
"Coming to the ballpark is nice. It's good to get away from it," he said. "We're expecting it all to be negative, go forward from there."
Manager Joe Torre said that Giambi could be in the lineup on Friday in Boston, depending on how the first baseman feels when he gets to the ballpark.
"I'll do whatever Joe wants me to do," Giambi said. "I just want to get better. That's all I care about. I played when I came back from it, so I'll just keep going." Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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