Baseball notebook: Uecker needs heart surgery

Bob Uecker has made a 40-year career out of delighting baseball fans with his self-deprecating sense of humor. Even facing heart surgery at the end of the week, that didn’t change.

The Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer opened up by joking that he called a press conference to announce that he was joining the Brewers’ active roster. Then he turned serious – well, as serious as he could be.

“I’m looking forward to getting it done and getting back to work,” Uecker said.

The 75-year-old Uecker will have his aortic valve replaced Friday morning, and will be away from the team for up to three months while recovering.

Uecker plans to broadcast today then return to the booth as soon as he can after the Friday procedure.

Navarro suspended

Tampa Bay catcher Dioner Navarro began serving a two-game suspension for bumping an umpire during an argument.

Navarro did not appeal and will sit out today’s final game of a two-game series against Oakland.

“Two games, get it over with. It’s still early in the season. I don’t want to be dealing with none of this stuff,” Navarro said. “Let these two days pass and get back on track and try to keep helping the team win.”

Oswalt returns

Astros ace Roy Oswalt rejoined the team after spending several days with his parents in Mississippi helping them recover from tornado damage.

He plans to make his next start as scheduled Thursday against Cincinnati.

Clearing the bases

The Colorado Rockies put pitchers Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel on the 15-day disabled list and sent struggling catcher Chris Iannetta to Triple-A Colorado Springs. De La Rosa tore the flexor tendon band in the middle finger of his pitching hand and Hammel strained his right groin. … Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz was put on the 15-day disabled list after reaggravating his strained right hamstring. … The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Brett Anderson on the 15-day disabled list with a left forearm strain and elbow inflammation.