Rogers to have his appeal today

NOTES

Kenny Rogers takes the final step in his long, strange trip through baseball’s legal system today.

While the Texas Rangers embark on a two-week road trip that begins in Boston, Rogers will take a detour to Chicago to join players association lawyers in presenting their grievance over the 20-game suspension and $50,000 fine the Rangers pitcher received for his confrontation with two cameramen on June 29.

Rogers has already served 11 games of the suspension, but is seeking a reduction of the penalties. The union has argued that by handing out the penalty and hearing the initial appeal, commissioner Bud Selig violated the collective bargaining agreement between the players association and Major League Baseball.

The union also believes the harshness of the penalties breaks from precedent.

The union will present its case to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Shyam Das. The Rangers are prepared to wait several days for a ruling.

Rogers would remain on suspension in the meantime.

Clearing the bases

Randy Johnson‘s next start with the New York Yankees is in doubt because of a bad back.

“He’s really uncomfortable,” manager Joe Torre said. “If it was like this yesterday, he wouldn’t have pitched.”

“Tom Trebelhorn is the Baltimore Orioles’ new bench coach, with Rick Dempsey becoming the third-base coach and Dave Cash the first-base coach.

The moves were announced by interim manager Sam Perlozzo on Sunday and will take effect Tuesday against Tampa Bay.