Nen to have surgery; season at an end

Miami — San Francisco closer Robb Nen will have season-ending shoulder surgery today to repair a partial tear to his right rotator cuff.

“This is serious,” team trainer Stan Conte said. “Is it career-threatening? Yes, it is. Robb knows that.”

Conte added that Nen was “incredibly upbeat. He feels like this will take him over the top. His mental outlook is the best I’ve seen in six months.”

The Giants said they sought medical opinions from the top sports medicine orthopedists in the country. The arthroscopic operation will take place in Wilmington, Del., and will be performed by Dr. Craig Morgan, who performed similar surgery on Curt Schilling in 1999.

“I was kind of expecting it,” Giants manager Felipe Alou said.

Nen’s throwing shoulder has not responded to operations in November 2002 and April 18, followed by an extensive rehabilitation program. Following his latest operation, he’s expected to be ready for spring training in 2004.

Nen, a three-time All-Star, went 6-2 with a 2.20 ERA last season and had 43 saves to help the Giants get to their first World Series since 1989. He had seven saves in the postseason.

Blue Jays recall Bowles

Arlington, Texas — Pitcher Brian Bowles was recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday from Triple-A Syracuse. Bowles is 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 19 games for Toronto over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander started this season at Syracuse, where he had eight saves and 1.06 ERA.

Devil Rays sign Quinn

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Mark Quinn signed a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tuesday and was to report to Triple-A Durham. Quinn was released by the Kansas City Royals March 11, then signed with the San Diego Padres and spent April at Triple-A Portland. He batted .298 with three homers, four doubles and 12 RBIs in 16 games at Portland, but was released May 2.

Jeter set for rehab

Trenton, N.J. — Derek Jeter is ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment today at Double-A Trenton, another step in his comeback from a dislocated left shoulder. The standout shortstop is expected to rejoin the New York Yankees for the start of a six-game homestand May 13.

Sanchez denies haircut

New York — The New York Mets had a hairy situation Tuesday, holding a team meeting to deal with whether Rey Sanchez had his locks trimmed in the clubhouse during a game. Sanchez denied the haircut, which was reported Monday by ESPN radio. But Mets officials and players, using so many similar phrases that they sounded like a barbershop quartet, repeatedly said the situation had been dealt with. No one else in the clubhouse would back Sanchez’s denial.