Selig refuses to reduce Rogers’ 20-game suspension

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig remained firm on his 20-game suspension of Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers on Thursday, despite complaints from the players’ union that Selig should not have handed out the penalty.

“We have another hearing, so I have to be careful,” Selig said. “But I think my statement which articulated my feelings very, very lucidly … I believed when I meted out the punishment, I believed it then and I believe in it just as intensely today.”

Selig, in Atlanta for the 2005 Commissioner’s Initiative for Kids, imposed the suspension and a $50,000 fine for a June 29 videotaped tirade in which Rogers, a three-time All-Star, shoved two cameramen when he came onto the field for pregame stretching.

Ramirez asks for unlikely trade

Manny Ramirez’s trade request will be difficult to honor because of his contract, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said.

Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site Tuesday that Ramirez, for at least the third time in four seasons, had asked to be traded. Ramirez told club officials he’s unhappy in Boston, especially with an off-field lack of privacy.

Yankees acquire Chacon

The New York Yankees acquired right-hander Shawn Chacon, 27, from Colorado for a pair of minor leaguers.

The Rockies get pitchers Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra in the deal.

•The Yankees also placed right-hander Kevin Brown (lumbar strain) on the disabled list.

Around the league

Kerry Wood and Nomar Garciaparra may rehab together next week at Double-A West Tenn and could rejoin the Chicago Cubs for an Aug. 5-7 series against the New York Mets. … A day after starting catcher Ramon Hernandez elected to have surgery on his injured left wrist, San Diego obtained catcher David Ross from Pittsburgh for minor league shortstop J.J. Furmaniak.