Sheffield may consider retirement

Apr 24, 2008 - 8:43 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The pain in Gary Sheffield's shoulder has the slugger questioning his future.

Sheffield received a second cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Wednesday after getting one in both shoulders earlier this week. The latest shot was focused on the spot where the Detroit Tigers slugger had labrum tears surgically repaired last fall.

Sheffield, 39, is hoping the latest shot allows him to swing a bat pain-free and return to the Tigers lineup, possibly by Friday. The designated hitter has missed the last five games, and the lack of progress is enough that he's considering the worst-case scenarios - including retirement.

"I've been thinking about (retiring) for four years, but it just doesn't seem to happen," Sheffield told the Tigers' web site. "I can't really think emotionally about it. I have to think it all the way through, and I don't think I've done that yet."

Sheffield received three cortisone shots last year as he tried to play through a midseason right shoulder injury that sapped his offense down the stretch.

"I'm doing what I need to do to get it strong," Sheffield said on Thursday morning. "It hurts. I can't continue to go out there and play like that."

Sheffield, who is batting .192 with only one home run and two RBI this season, has been dealing with shoulder issues since returning to action in spring training.

Sheffield visited earlier this week with team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos, who found no structural damage, and he underwent cortisone shots in each shoulder to alleviate the soreness.

The shot in his right shoulder had little effect; Sheffield said he still felt pain even without doing baseball activities.

"Am I wasting my time trying to play? That's another thing," Sheffield said. "I might have to make a decision again. I'm not going to put myself through (more surgeries and rehabs) like the past. I'm not going to do that.

"I don't need to play. It's just a matter of having an opportunity to win again. That's the only reason I'm here."