New Start for Mariners’ Johnson

Seattle Mariner left-hander Randy Johnson will return to the mound tonight after missing four starts because of tendinitis in the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said Johnson will start against Toronto but will be limited to about 80 pitches.

The 1995 American League Cy Young Award winner has not pitched since leaving in the seventh inning of a 1-0 victory over Cleveland on Aug. 20.

The Mariners are 11-10 since Johnson went out but hold a 5 1/2-game lead over the Angels in the AL West.

Johnson is 17-4 with a 2.32 earned-run average and a league-leading 264 strikeouts in 26 games.

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Cleveland’s Kevin Seitzer underwent an emergency appendectomy Friday night. He complained of pain in his side before the Indians’ game at Chicago and was taken to Christ Hospital for the procedure.

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David Cone took another step in his effort to return to the New York Yankee starting rotation, testing his sore right shoulder by throwing for 30 minutes in the bullpen. Cone has been on the disabled list since Aug. 19 because of mild tendinitis in his shoulder.

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Kansas City intends to sign relief pitcher Jeff Montgomery for another season, Royal General Manager Herk Robinson said. The team will exercise its 1998 option on his contract for $2.8 million.