Eight players punished for Yanks-Red Sox fight

New York — Yankees standout Alex Rodriguez and Boston catcher Jason Varitek were suspended for four games apiece and fined $2,000 Thursday, and six other players were punished for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl last week between New York and the Red Sox.

Yankees pitcher Tanyon Sturtze and Red Sox outfielders Gabe Kapler and Trot Nixon were suspended for three games and fined $1,000 by Bob Watson, major league baseball’s vice president of on-field operations.

New York outfielder Kenny Lofton, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz were fined $500 each.

Stanford has surgery

Cleveland — Indians left-hander Jason Stanford had Tommy John surgery Thursday to rebuild the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Stanford, who worked for a year as a videographer at Kansas University, will miss the rest of this season and also could miss all of next season. Stanford made two starts this season for the Indians, going 0-1 before he went on the disabled list April 20. Stanford, who made the Indians’ starting rotation in spring training, has been sidelined since April.

Yankees questioned about intestinal parasite

New York — New York City health officials are questioning doctors for the New York Yankees about an intestinal parasite that may have sickened three players and at least one family member. Yankees slugger Jason Giambi has said he is being tested for the parasite after being plagued by symptoms for the last couple of months and being out of the lineup for almost a week. Giambi’s wife, Kristian, and Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown also have been diagnosed with the parasitic illness, according to Giambi.

A third player, right fielder Gary Sheffield, was stricken in June with intestinal symptoms that were attributed to “stomach flu” at the time. New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene officials said their contact with the team’s physician was not an investigation. T

Rangers re-sign Cordero

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers signed All-Star closer Francisco Cordero to an $8 million, two-year extension Thursday, avoiding the chance of arbitration this offseason and keeping him off the free-agent market the following winter. Cordero, who is making $2 million this season, received a $250,000 bonus for signing a contract that will pay him $3.75 million next season and $4 million in 2006, said agent Bean Stringfellow.

Gonzalez surgery slated

Houston — Arizona slugger Luis Gonzalez will have season-ending ligament replacement surgery Monday, but expects to return to the Diamondbacks by next spring. The left fielder has played all season with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, feeling pain on every throw to the infield.

A’s release Karros

Oakland, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics released veteran first baseman Eric Karros on Thursday, two days after designating him for assignment.