Associated Press

Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the last player to hit for the Triple Crown, underwent heart bypass surgery Tuesday after experiencing chest pains.

Yastrzemski, 78, was in surgery Tuesday evening after being admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital, said his spokesman, Dick Gordon.

The popular Yaz was an 18-time All-Star and spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox, taking over left field for Ted Williams in 1961 and playing through 1983.

In 1967, Yastrzemski helped revitalize the flagging franchise during the ''Impossible Dream'' season. With calls of ''Yaz'' echoing around Fenway Park, he won the Triple Crown that year, hitting .326 with 44 home runs and 121 RBIs. Behind the AL MVP, the Red Sox won their first pennant since 1946, but lost the World Series in Game 7 to St. Louis.

Yaz finished with 452 career home runs and 1,844 RBIs. He had 3,419 lifetime hits and batted .285. He also won seven Gold Gloves.

Maddux back in LA

The Dodgers announced Tuesday that they have reacquired Greg Maddux and cash considerations from San Diego. The Padres will receive two minor league players to be named or cash considerations.

Maddux, 42, first came to the Dodgers late in the 2006 season, when he went 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts to help them win a wild-card berth. This time, Los Angeles is dueling Arizona for the NL West lead.

Maddux is 6-9 with a 3.99 ERA this season, and has 353 career wins.

Kinsler examined

Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler might be able to avoid season-ending surgery for a sports hernia after receiving an encouraging diagnosis from a specialist Tuesday.

Kinsler was examined by Dr. John Preskitt at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Kinsler said the doctor told him there was probably no torn muscle in the left side of his groin area. Kinsler was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

Around the bases

Billy Wagner has more pain and swelling in his pitching elbow, and the New York Mets' All-Star closer is out indefinitely. . . . Kip Wells, who started on opening day for Colorado before getting demoted and later cut, signed with the Kansas City Royals. . . . Orioles closer George Sherrill was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation. . . . Josh Beckett's next start has been pushed back while the Boston Red Sox try to determine the cause of lingering numbness in the his right hand. . . . The New York Yankees activated outfielder Hideki Matsui off the 15-day DL and optioned outfielder Justin Christian to Triple-A. . . . The Atlanta Braves placed reserve infielder Ruben Gotay on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring and recalled left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes from Triple-A Richmond. . . . Oriole Park at Camden Yards hit the 50 million attendance mark Tuesday.