Boone Takes Leave for Pacemaker; Lester to Have Surgery

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone took a leave of absence from the team to get a pacemaker and intends to return to work in a few days. The Yankees say the procedure was performed Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, and went as expected. Boone remained hospitalized overnight. Washington Nationals left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland. The 37-year-old Lester was to travel to New York for an operation Friday. In 2006, Lester’s rookie season with Boston ended early because he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma.