Kenny Rogers won’t start his season until summer – maybe later.

A key part of the pitching staff that led the surprising Detroit Tigers to the AL pennant last year, Rogers is out until at least the All-Star break following surgery Friday to remove a blood clot from his left shoulder and repair arteries.

“We might have been the only club in baseball with five established starters,” Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said in Lakeland, Fla. “It’s an edge we have here, and all we did was lose a little of the edge. We still have a great club with four established starters and a strong bullpen.”

Rogers complained of a tired arm Wednesday. The 42-year-old left-hander was flown to Baylor University in Texas, where Dr. Greg Pearl performed the surgery. Rogers is expected to start throwing in six to eight weeks, and Dombrowski said the earliest the pitcher would return to the rotation is July.

Chad Durbin becomes Detroit’s fifth starter behind Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth. Durbin was 0-0 with a 1.50 earned-run average in three relief appearances with Detroit last year.

“I have confidence in Chad Durbin, but can anyone replace Kenny Rogers? No,” manager Jim Leyland said.

Heading into the final weekend before the season, Detroit agreed with shortstop Carlos Guillen on a $48 million, four-year contract extension through 2011.

Guillen is making $5 million this season, the last of a $14 million, three-year deal. He gets $12 million in 2008, $10 million in 2009 and $13 million in each of the final two seasons.

In Tampa, Fla., much-maligned Carl Pavano was chosen as the New York Yankees’ opening-day starter against visiting Tampa Bay – his first time on the mound in the major leagues since June 27, 2005.

Pavano will be followed in the rotation by Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Kei Igawa. With Chien-Ming Wang sidelined by a strained right hamstring, Darrell Rasner will be the fifth starter at the beginning of the season.

In Bradenton, Fla., former All-Star closer Dan Kolb was reassigned to Pittsburgh’s minor-league camp and is looking for another major-league job.

The Pirates had until Friday to notify Kolb whether he would make their 25-man roster. He is expected to report to their minor league camp if he is not offered a spot on an opening-day roster by another team.

In a surprise move, the Pirates released nonroster infielder Jose Hernandez, who has played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers and Pirates. Hernandez hit .300 with four doubles in spring training, the third time in his career he has been with Pittsburgh.

In Port St. Lucie, Fla., the New York Mets optioned Chan Ho Park to Triple-A New Orleans. Park could have declined the demotion but decided he wanted to stay with the organization.

“That’s the reason I signed with them in the offseason, to get here and try out,” he said after striking out five in three shutout innings during New York’s 8-2 victory over Florida.

In Norfolk, Va., Baltimore outfielder Jay Payton said he probably would start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

“I think they’ll probably take the cautious route and go ahead and DL me, more than likely. But I don’t think they’ve made a final decision yet,” Payton said.

In San Francisco, the Oakland Athletics said they agreed to a minor-league contract with infielder Todd Walker, released by San Diego earlier this week.

In other games:

Red Sox 6, Phillies 5

At Philadelphia, Manny Ramirez’s first homer of the spring was one of four Boston hit off lefty Cole Hamels. J.D. Drew, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis also connected.

Blue Jays 6, Indians 2

At Winter Haven, Fla., Jake Westbrook allowed only an unearned run over seven innings for Cleveland.

Reds 5, Devil Rays 4

At Sarasota, Fla., Ken Griffey Jr. drove in his second run of spring training, hitting an RBI single for Cincinnati.

Cardinals 6, Memphis 2

At Memphis, Tenn., Anthony Reyes finished off a strong spring as he went 51â3 innings and allowed two runs.

Pirates 5, Twins 3

At Bradenton, Fla., Minnesota’s Ramon Ortiz yielded one hit in four scoreless innings.

Orioles 6, Nationals 5

At Norfolk, Va., Washington center fielder Nook Logan needed just three innings and two at-bats to pronounce his strained right groin healthy enough for opening day.

Sky Sox (AAA) 5, Rockies 3

At Colorado Springs, Colo., Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe tested his ankle before the game and is expected to be ready for opening day.

Diamondbacks 14, Padres 8

At Peoria, Ariz., San Diego’s Chris Young allowed five unearned runs on three walks and four hits in 22â3 innings.

White Sox 3, Braves 2

At Atlanta, Mark Buehrle allowed two runs in seven innings with three walks. Chipper Jones and Paul Konerko homered.