Prior will miss rest of season

Mark Prior is out for the rest of the season. His once promising future with the Chicago Cubs is unclear, although surgery on his right shoulder is not considered career-threatening.

Dr. James Andrews operated on the 26-year-old right-hander Tuesday in an arthroscopic procedure in which he also worked on Prior’s rotator cuff.

“Dr. Andrews feels comfortable that he will still have a career. This is certainly not career-ending,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday. “He felt optimistic that he would be able to pitch next year.”

Prior has been beset by injuries since his first full season in the majors in 2003. He went on the disabled list three times last year.

MLB suspends Brooks

Cedrick “Doc” Brooks, a minor league outfielder released by the Colorado Rockies in spring training, was suspended for 50 games by the commissioner’s office after testing positive for a drug of abuse.

The Rockies cut him in March, and his penalty will take effect immediately if he signs with a major league organization.

Martinez expects return

Pedro Martinez is encouraged by his recovery from rotator cuff surgery and confident that he’ll return to the New York Mets for the second half of this season.

“I am super excited with how things are progressing. I feel as good as I did in 1996 and 1997,” the 35-year-old ace told the Associated Press.

Clearing the bases

Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets left the game against the Chicago Cubs after three innings because of a strained right groin. … Milwaukee manager Ned Yost was recovering from a broken collarbone, a day after he tripped during a jog near Wrigley Field. … Oakland activated first baseman Dan Johnson from the 15-day disabled list and optioned catcher Adam Melhuse to Triple-A Sacramento. … Pittsburgh second baseman Freddy Sanchez was taken out of the lineup against Houston because of irritation in his right eye.