NOTES

Kenny Rogers’ appeal of his 20-game suspension for shoving two cameramen was rejected Wednesday by commissioner Bud Selig, who deemed the behavior of the Texas Rangers’ pitcher to be “wholly unacceptable.”

The players’ association said it will pursue a grievance before an arbitrator to overturn the penalty.

The commissioner, who heard Rogers’ appeal in Milwaukee last Friday, said the suspension would begin with Wednesday night’s game at the Baltimore Orioles. Rogers declined comment.

Clement leaves hospital

Boston pitcher Matt Clement, a former Spokane Indians player, was released from a St. Petersburg, Fla., hospital, less than 24 hours after being hit in the side of the head by a line drive that knocked him off his feet.

Sosa passes Robinson

Sammy Sosa hit his 587th home run to move past Frank Robinson into sole possession of fifth place on the career list.

Hernandez seeks surgery

The slumping San Diego Padres got another jolt of bad news when catcher Ramon Hernandez decided to have surgery on his injured left wrist.

Surgery is scheduled for Friday and Hernandez is expected to be out for three to six weeks.

D-Backs designate Cruz

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated slumping center fielder Jose Cruz Jr. for assignment and purchased the contract of top prospect Conor Jackson, a first baseman, from Triple-A Tucson.