Los Angeles Dodgers: Pitcher Darren Dreifort will undergo surgery on his right knee in the next couple of weeks and will be out the rest of the season, the team announced Friday night.

Dreifort, 31, was examined by Dr. Ralph Gambardella, who diagnosed the right-hander's condition as a weak medial collateral ligament. The surgery, which will take place either June 17 or 18 requires a six-month recovery period. The operation will be performed by Gambardella and Dr. Frank Jobe. Dreifort had "Tommy John" ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow in July 2001 and didn't pitch again until this season. It appeared he was going to return last summer, but he injured his knee during his rehabilitation and had to have arthroscopic surgery.

Dreifort is 4-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 starts with 67 strikeouts in 60 1-3 innings.

Against Colorado on May 28, he allowed six runs and nine hits in three innings in his shortest outing of the year. Afterward, Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said Dreifort was hampered by pain in his knee.

Boston Red Sox: Pitching coach Tony Cloninger will go on indefinite medical leave to focus on treatments for bladder cancer.

Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea said Cloninger approached the team about taking a leave of absence, but it was not clear how long the coach would be gone.

Cloninger was diagnosed with the disease during spring training. Shea said the team will issue a statement with further details later Friday.

"We look forward to his return with open arms," Shea said. "Tony's a fighter, he has a strong will. We're all just pulling for him."

Cloninger, currently with the team in Milwaukee, will return to his home in Kings Mountain, N.C. He's been receiving chemotherapy in Charlotte, N.C.

Cloninger did not travel with Boston to its recent series in Toronto because of concerns that his weakened immune system could be more vulnerable to the SARS virus.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners strengthened their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Matt White from the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielder Shelton Fulse.

To make room for White on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated minor league outfielder Cristian Guerrero for assignment. They have 10 days to trade, release or outright Guerrero.

The Mariners already have an excellent bullpen, with Jeff Nelson, Arthur Rhodes, Kazuhiro Sasaki and Shigetoshi Hasegawa. But only Rhodes is a lefty.

"We've been looking for another left-hander to add to our bullpen depth, and we think Matt should fit in nicely,'' general manager Pat Gillick said.

White had an 0-1 record and a 27.00 ERA in 3 2/3 innings for the Red Sox this season. He began the season on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle and was activated May 26. In three appearances, he allowed 10 hits and 11 runs.

Fulse was hitting .280 in 49 games with Class A Inland Empire in the California League.

Cincinnati Reds: Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the starting lineup Friday night for the second consecutive game because of a virus.

Griffey tweaked his right arm on a swing Wednesday night and left the game. The arm is fine, but the virus is holding him back.

"He's pretty sick," manager Bob Boone said before Cincinnati played the Toronto Blue Jays. "He's got a low-grade fever now."

Anaheim Angels: Closer Troy Percival was activated from the 15-day disabled list after the Angel's 4-1 loss Friday to Florida Marlins. Percival, who has been sidelined since May 22 with a hip injury, will be available to pitch in the second game of the weekend series on Saturday. To make room for Percival, Anaheim placed right-hander Mickey Callaway on the DL with tendinitis in his right shoulder. Percival has seven saves this season for Anaheim. He saved 40 in 2002, then had seven more in the postseason for the World Series champions.