The Boston Red Sox will start the season without Nomar Garciaparra, after all.

The All-Star shortstop was placed on the disabled list Wednesday because of an injured right Achilles’ tendon and is expected to miss at least three weeks.

“I don’t like missing more time than I anticipated, but the good thing is we know we have a structured program to be able to talk to all the doctors and get everyone on the same page,” Garciaparra said in Fort Myers, Fla. “My body will tell me when I’m ready. Once that happens, it shouldn’t take me long to get back in the lineup.”

Doctors said there was no structural damage to Garciaparra’s inflamed tendon and almost no risk of this becoming a problem that will trouble him beyond a few weeks. He will rest for three weeks, but can resume upper-body workouts in seven days.

Boston will be without two key regulars when the season starts. Right fielder Trot Nixon is expected to be sidelined until early May with a lower-back problem.

The Red Sox also put right-handers Byung-Hyun Kim (strained right shoulder) and Reynaldo Garcia (right elbow surgery) on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.

Baltimore left-hander Omar Daal will miss at least three months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.

Also, the Dodgers released outfielder Bubba Trammell, Pittsburgh cut left-hander Joe Beimel, Florida released outfielder Brian Banks, and Atlanta cut outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.

Wednesday was the last day to release players with non-guaranteed contracts without paying their full 2004 salaries.

In spring training games:

Astros 3, Indians 2

At Kissimmee, Fla., Cleveland center fielder Milton Bradley was pulled for not running hard on a popup and left the ballpark in a cab before the game was over. He told a team spokesman that he had a tight groin.

Tigers 6, Braves 3

At Lakeland, Fla., Tigers right-hander Jason Johnson left after two innings with a blister on his middle finger.

Blue Jays 5, Reds 1

At Sarasota, Fla., Jimmy Haynes pitched five shutout innings.

Pirates 8, Red Sox 8

At Fort Myers, Fla., David Ortiz hit a wind-blown two-run single ahead of Ellis Burks’ two-run homer.

Marlins 9, Orioles 6

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Abraham Nunez went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Nunez has eight homers this spring, a Marlins record.

Twins 4, Phillies 2

At Clearwater, Fla., Jim Thome homered in his third start at first base since breaking the tip of his finger.

Cardinals 2, Expos 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Matt Morris pitched seven strong innings for St. Louis in his final tuneup for opening day.

Cubs 12, Brewers 4

At Phoenix, Kerry Wood finished 5-0 with a 1.05 ERA in six spring starts after tossing four scoreless innings.

Mariners 10, Athletics 5

At Phoenix, Edgar Martinez drove in three runs, and Raul Ibanez went 4-for-4 for Seattle. Rich Aurilia added a double.

Angels 9, Rockies 5

At Tucson, Ariz., Denny Stark was awarded the No. 5 spot in Colorado’s rotation.

Diamondbacks 8, Rangers 1, 6 innings

At Tucson, Ariz., Casey Daigle made a strong bid for the No. 5 spot in Arizona’s rotation.

White Sox 15, Padres 11

At Peoria, Ariz., Phil Nevin returned to San Diego’s lineup, but Paul Konerko homered twice as Chicago roughed up Brian Lawrence.

Dodgers 11, Mets 5

At Vero Beach, Fla., Hideo Nomo threw five shutout innings before giving up four runs in the sixth.