Expos begin talks with slugger Guerrero

Montreal — The Montreal Expos have started contract talks with Vladimir Guerrero’s agent, hoping to sign the slugger to a long-term deal before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

“We’ve been in contact with his agent and we have begun negotiations on trying to keep Vladimir Guerrero with the Expos and, hopefully, signing him to a long-term contract,” Expos general manager Omar Minaya said Wednesday before the Expos’ final home game of the season. “We’re exercising the right that we have to have the exclusivity.”

Minaya said he spoke to Guerrero’s agent, Diego Bentz, Tuesday.

“I’ve been in contact with him, some small conversations,” Minaya said. “But yesterday, I can say that we pretty much got the conversations going.”

“I feel really good here,” Guerrero said as third base coach Manny Acta translated. “I’ve been here for seven years and I’ve never had any problems, on and off the field. I just feel comfortable here. I just want to see what happens now.”

Cleveland’s Lawton undergoes knee surgery

Cleveland — Outfielder Matt Lawton’s second injury-filled season with the Cleveland Indians has ended because of surgery on his right knee.

Lawton had surgery Wednesday at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland to repair a torn meniscus.

The 31-year-old outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week because of soreness in his right middle finger. He dislocated the finger in a game in July and was on the disabled list from July 12 to Aug. 18.

Indians manager Eric Wedge said the team ended Lawton’s season so he could have the knee surgery and give the finger time to heal.

Reds RHP Etherton removed after an inning

Pittsburgh — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Seth Etherton left his start against Pittsburgh after one inning Wednesday night because of stiffness and soreness in his right forearm.

He gave up two hits and two runs, hit a batter and walked another in the inning as the Pirates took a 2-0 lead.

Etherton, a No. 1 draft pick of Anaheim in 1998, lasted just two innings in his last start on Sept. 12 against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed four runs and seven hits, but got a no-decision in the Reds’ 7-6 loss.

Etherton entered Wednesday’s game with a 2-3 record and a 6.52 ERA in six previous starts.

Damon a late scratch

Boston — Outfielder Johnny Damon was a late scratch from Boston’s lineup against Tampa Bay Wednesday night because of a strained left abdominal muscle. Adrian Brown replaced him in the lineup and played center field in his first start for the Red Sox. The team said the injury was unrelated to a play in which Damon crashed into the outfield wall while trying to field a line drive during Tuesday night’s game. Damon is batting .276 with 99 runs and 28 stolen bases this season.