Detroit Tigers closer Troy Percival will know soon if he can return next season or face that his career is over.

Percival, 35, has been sidelined since July 10 because of a muscle tear in his right forearm. The 11-year veteran, who recorded all but eight of his 324 career saves with the Angels before joining Detroit as a free agent last winter, will meet with Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum today. He should learn then if he has pitched his last game in the major leagues.

"It's possible. If I have surgery and I have to sit out next year, I'd be done," Percival said yesterday. "Either he'll say this is going to heal up enough to pitch, or we're going to have to do surgery — which I don't want to do. With surgery, I have no chance and I'll miss all next year because it's a minimum of 12 months."

The Tigers signed Percival to a two-year, $12 million contract in November. He was 1-2 with a 5.76 earned-run average in 26 appearances this season and had three blown saves in 11 opportunities.

The last time Percival saw Yocum, he was told his arm would feel better in two months and that he should rest it until the scar tissue forms. Then he could come up with a better prognosis.

"It's doing a lot better than it was," Percival said. "I'm back to normal everyday stuff. I haven't gotten to where I think I'm comfortable enough to start picking up a ball and start chucking it yet, but I still have the whole offseason to get that ready and come firing in the spring. I'll know a lot more on Friday when Dr. Yocum looks at it."

Percival, whose fastball is clocked in the mid-90s, always knew surgery was an option because of how much the muscle was torn.

"If I had it, he told me at best I'd come back throwing 85 miles an hour, and I'm not ready to do that," the four-time All-Star said.

Boston: CF Johnny Damon returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sore shoulder. ... The Red Sox purchased the contract of OF Adam Hyzdu from Class AAA Pawtucket and released LHP Matt Perisho. Hyzdu had been working out in Arizona in case he was needed. He will serve as a backup for Boston, which lost Gabe Kapler to a ruptured Achilles tendon on Wednesday.

Detroit: C Ivan Rodriguez left against the Los Angeles Angels because of a right hamstring spasm. He is day to day.

Los Angeles: LHP Jarrod Washburn's sore left forearm has temporarily forced him out of the rotation. Manager Mike Scioscia said Washburn could play catch early next week.

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