Intestinal parasites may have Jason Giambi headed to the disabled list again, reports the New York Times.
The Yankees slugger missed his 12th start on Saturday against the Red Sox and may miss starting Sunday night because of a condition that has left him drained -- and which doctors have had difficulty pinning down.
The Times reported in its Sunday edition that Giambi has been put through a battery of tests, and should find out the results this week. The first baseman has learned one important fact from doctors: His strength might be sapped for months.
"I think what we're going to do is basically wait for the results of the tests," manager Joe Torre told the newspaper. "We have 20 percent of the tests due back [this coming] week. We'll see what they say."
Currently, Giambi is on an 0-for-19 streak at the plate.
One test result that came back negative was for cancer. Also, Giambi told The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) that his test for H.I.V. was negative.
Giambi was taken out of Friday's game at Boston after weariness got the better of him, and the Times reported that Torre and Giambi agreed the five-time All-Star should sit out for the second Red Sox game.
"We were both here early," Torre told the paper. "I saw him last night at the hotel, and he looked washed out. And today he just doesn't feel a whole lot in the tank."
Filling in at first for Giambi has been Tony Clark.
ESPN.com