Cy Young winner Halladay forced out
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay will miss the rest of the season because of a strained right forearm
Halladay said Friday that the forearm has bothered him off and on all season. He missed a start in April because of it and left his last start against New York in the fourth inning.
“I realized this was the best and smartest thing to do,” said Halladay, who had just two scheduled starts left.
The 2003 American League Cy Young winner hasn’t pitched a complete season in three years because of injuries. He went 16-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 220 innings.
Halladay said it’s the same soreness he felt in April.
“There’s times where it never really 100 percent goes away,” Halladay said. “There were times in the year where it would show up. I would say probably the last couple of starts here. It’s something that is tolerable. I felt like we were starting to push it a little bit.”
An MRI showed no ligament or structural damage.
Halladay called it a “wear and tear” injury.
Clemens set for home send-off
Roger Clemens said Houston Astros manager Phil Garner asked him if he could pitch on three days’ rest. Clemens said he could.
Now, the seven-time Cy Young winner will make his final home start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
“When they tell you you’re going to pitch on short rest, you have to manage your time and the amount of work in between,” Clemens said. “So, we’re going for it.”
Garner announced after Thursday’s 6-5 win over the Cardinals that Clemens would start Sunday. Clemens (7-5) pitched six scoreless innings Wednesday in a 7-2 win over Cincinnati and tipped his cap to the crowd during a lengthy standing ovation.
Sheffield makes return to lineup
Gary Sheffield returned to the New York Yankees lineup – at a new position – for the first time since being sidelined by a left wrist injury in late May.
Sheffield also made his debut at first base against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in place of injured Jason Giambi. Sheffield, out since May 29 and coming off wrist surgery, had worked out at first during his rehabilitation.
“It’s been a long time,” he said. “I worked real hard to get back. I’m excited.”
It was the first time Sheffield played first base in his major league career.
“I look at it as another challenge,” he said. “Something to overcome. I feel like I’m capable of doing it.”
Around the horn
Cincinnati pitcher Eric Milton had arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow and is expected to recover by spring training. … Kansas City manager Buddy Bell had his tonsils removed and will now await biopsy results on a growth that was detected in the area. … Boston center fielder Coco Crisp will have season-ending surgery on his left index finger Monday. … Thirty baseballs that Pete Rose signed and inscribed with an apology for betting on baseball were sold for $1,000 apiece. … Colorado reliever Jose Mesa and San Francisco pitcher Jamey Wright were each suspended for three games for intentionally throwing at an opposing hitter during a tense game between the teams earlier this week. … St. Louis has extended general manager Walt Jocketty’s contract through the 2008 season.