Tavarez Is Given a 10-Day Suspension

St. Louis reliever Julian Tavarez was suspended for 10 days Tuesday for applying a foreign substance to baseballs while pitching last week.

Tavarez appealed the penalty, meaning no action will be taken until a hearing is held.

“The incident that day seemed like it was a very minor thing, and I’m shocked that it would be worth 10 days,” Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa said.

Tavarez was ejected during the opener of Friday’s doubleheader against Pittsburgh after umpire crew chief Joe West inspected the pitcher’s grimy cap.

West said Tavarez and La Russa “as much as admitted” it was pine tar on his cap.

The suspension was imposed by Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball.

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Yankee Manager Joe Torre isn’t sure slugger Jason Giambi will be back with New York this season.

“It’s getting more and more remote in my mind,” Torre said.

Slowed by a respiratory infection, Giambi has no timetable for when he’ll resume taking batting practice.

“We don’t have one right now,” Giambi said after a two-hour indoor workout in Tampa, Fla.

The five-time All-Star’s goal is to rejoin the Yankees this season. And despite the setbacks, Giambi says he’s making progress.

“We’re going in the right direction,” he said.

Torre said he’ll wait until he sees Giambi take some swings before making any kind of decision.

“If he plays, I’m not sure how much of him we’re getting,” Torre said.

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Houston Astro pitcher Andy Pettitte had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow. Doctors say he will be at full strength by spring training.... The Kansas City Royals put first baseman Mike Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list because of irritation in his back and promoted outfielder Alexis Gomez from triple-A Omaha.