DENVER -- Aaron Cook finally feels like he's part of a pennant race.
Colorado's ace right-hander learned Tuesday that he'll return to the mound Friday night against St. Louis, his first start since going on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder on Aug. 22.
The Rockies entered their game Tuesday night against San Diego with a four-game lead over San Francisco in the NL wild-card race.
Cook was an onlooker the last time the Rockies reached the playoffs, missing out on their incredible 21-1 run-up to the World Series in 2007 because of a strained side muscle that sidelined him for 11 weeks.
He returned for Game 4 of the World Series, allowing three runs over six stellar innings but couldn't prevent Boston from sweeping the Rockies for the title.
"Yeah, '07 was a totally different story. When I got hurt, I knew I was going to be gone for at least 60 days and we weren't even really in it when I got hurt," Cook said. "So, to be in a pennant run, to get hurt when I got hurt, this year stunk. I wasn't really concerned about starting. I just wanted to come back and help and be part of the team."
Manager Jim Tracy said Cook will be limited to 70 pitches. Full story
Clemens files appeal
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens has filed an appeal of his dismissed defamation suit against Brian McNamee.
Clemens filed a notice Friday with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decisions of U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison, who threw out most of Clemens' case in February and dismissed the remainder of the suit Aug. 28.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner sued his former personal trainer in Texas state court in January 2008, a month after McNamee's accusations against the pitcher were published in the Mitchell Report. The suit was moved a month later to federal court in Houston.
McNamee claimed in the Mitchell Report that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone at least 16 times in 1998, 2000 and 2001. He also sued Clemens for defamation on July 31 in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Cardinals void prospects' contract
HOUSTON -- The St. Louis Cardinals voided the contract of a 16-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic after he failed a physical.
Wagner Mateo signed a deal with the Cardinals on July 2 that included a $3.1 million signing bonus. But the contract was contingent on Mateo's physical exam and general manager John Mozeliak said that his physical revealed two injuries that led to the decision to terminate the contract. Mozeliak would not specify what the injuries were, but he said they were related.
"We did our due diligence and we concluded that he had a pre-existing injury and he also is currently dealing with another injury," Mozeliak said. "Having both those issues out there, we realized it was in the best interest of the club to void the contract."
Mateo was considered among the top amateur free agents from Latin America. At the time, Mozeliak called the acquisition of Mateo "a significant step."
Indians' Wedge unsure of future
AVON, Ohio -- Sitting on the gym stage, Indians manager Eric Wedge looked across at the bleachers packed with screaming elementary school kids and observed the future.
He's not so sure about his own.
With two weeks left in Cleveland's disastrous season, Wedge does not yet know if he'll be back for an eighth season and the final year of his contract.
That decision rests with Indians owners Larry and Paul Dolan, who along with general manager Mark Shapiro, are expected to determine the fate of Wedge and his staff shortly after the Oct. 4 season finale in Boston, where coincidentally Wedge played briefly for the Red Sox.
Oswalt seeks second opinion
HOUSTON -- Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt will visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Dossett in Dallas on Thursday to get a second opinion on his sore back.
Oswalt (8-6, 4.12 ERA) reported discomfort in his arm after pitching five-plus innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Sept. 15. He's been bothered by hip and back pain for much of the season and the team said after the start that Oswalt wouldn't pitch again this season.
Also Tuesday, Wade said relief pitcher Alberto Arias will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday. Arias (2-1, 3.35 ERA) has been on the disabled list since Aug. 24.
Smithsonian installs Lasorda portrait
WASHINGTON -- The National Portrait Gallery has installed a painting of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda on his 82nd birthday.
The life-sized portrait, measuring 60 inches by 50 inches, was installed at the Smithsonian Institution. It commemorates Lasorda's long career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and goes on view at the start of a three-game series between the Dodgers and Washington Nationals in the nation's capital.
The portrait will be on view in the "New Arrivals" gallery through Nov. 15. The painting by Everett Raymond Kinstler will be part of the collection of baseball-related art.
Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 20 seasons, leading them to eight division titles, four National League pennants and World Series titles in 1981 and '88.
Sotomayor to throw first pitch
NEW YORK -- Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is coming off the bench -- and heading to the mound at Yankee Stadium.
Sotomayor, a Yankees fan from the Bronx, is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday before New York's game against Boston.
As a U.S. District Judge in 1995, Sotomayor issued an injunction that led baseball players to end their strike after 7½ months.
Sotomayor will throw out the pitch as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli is to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday's series opener.
MLB to open center in China
NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball is opening a development center in China.
The center for children of middle school and high school age is to open Wednesday at Dongbeitang High School in Wuxi, which is in Jiangsu province west of Shanghai. The center will provide baseball training and English lessons.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, planned to attend the opening.
"One of the chief goals of Major League Baseball in China is increasing the popularity and participation of the game of baseball among young athletes," he said in a statement. "The establishment of the MLB Development Center demonstrates Major League Baseball's commitment to expand the sport in China."
The center, limited to boys, can accommodate more than 100 players.
