Indians’ Fryman Will Retire

Cleveland Indian third baseman Travis Fryman, who has struggled most of the year after off-season shoulder surgery, announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.

Fryman decided to make the announcement now because a strike could make Wednesday night’s game his last. He also thought the timing was appropriate because the Indians were playing Detroit, where he started his career and spent eight seasons.

The players’ association is set to strike Friday unless it has an agreement for a labor contract, and the Indians are off today.

Fryman was batting .214 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs before Wednesday night’s game, with a career average of .274 with 221 homers and 1,014 RBIs.

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Before what could be the final game of the season at Comiskey Park, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf addressed his team and criticized his players’ effort.

“He feels that we haven’t given any effort and it’s embarrassing the kind of year that we had,” White Sox player representative Jeff Liefer said.

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Right-hander Brian Moehler, one of the Cincinnati Reds’ July trade acquisitions, was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a weak shoulder.... Atlanta Brave right fielder Gary Sheffield is expected to miss a week because of a sprained left thumb. Sheffield was injured during batting practice Tuesday.