Yankees’ Giambi Has Benign Tumor

NEW YORK —  New York Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi has been diagnosed with a benign tumor but is expected to return to the team later this season after undergoing treatment.

The Yankees announced Friday night that Giambi was put on the 15-day disabled list and will be treated immediately. The team, citing privacy issues, declined to divulge where the tumor was or what type of treatment Giambi would undergo.

Yankee Manager Joe Torre said he didn’t believe surgery would be necessary.

General Manager Brian Cashman said: “I think the next few days, he’ll be treated and we’ll see how he’s feeling. He has to get his strength back and then we’ll take it from there.”

Giambi, a former American League MVP, is batting only .221 with 11 home runs and 36 runs batted in. He has been feeling fatigued virtually all season and was diagnosed with a parasite on June 29.

He tried to play through it but began to feel increasingly weak. Giambi underwent a battery of tests this week to determine what has ailed him.

“The testing has not revealed the presence of any infectious disease,” team physician Stuart Hershon said in a statement. “The Yankees expect that, with appropriate treatment, he will rejoin the team as soon as possible.”

Cashman said he spoke to Giambi on Friday and said the slugger is in good spirits.

“He’s obviously happy that he knows what’s going on now,” Cashman said.

Cashman didn’t have an immediate timetable for Giambi to return to the team.

“I don’t expect him here this weekend, and we’ll take it day to day,” he said.

In a statement released by the team, Giambi expressed relief in finally finding out what had been making him feel so ill.

“I am relieved that they found something that is treatable and I look forward to getting well, coming back strong and helping the Yankees win,” he said.