THE SIDELINES : Bankhead Won’t Need Surgery

SEATTLE — Medical tests have confirmed that Seattle Mariners pitcher Scott Bankhead won’t need shoulder surgery, team officials said.

“This is a tremendous plus--just the kind of news we’ve been hoping for,” said Manager Jim Lefebvre after learning of the results Monday night.

Monday’s tests were performed by Dr. Arthur Pappas in Boston, said Mariners’ spokesman Dave Venneri. He said team officials would work with Bankhead today in Toronto, where the Mariners are beginning a three-day stand against the Blue Jays.

How soon and in what capacity Bankhead (0-1) will pitch is up to Lefebvre and pitching coach Mike Paul.

Last week, the Mariners had said Bankhead, who is on the disabled list, would need arthroscopic shoulder surgery and would miss a minimum of three months and probably the entire season.