Notebook: Astros hand reins to Cooper
Cecil Cooper has never had a problem communicating with players individually. It’s the group settings Cooper is going to have to get used to as the new manager of the Houston Astros.
Cooper took over as an interim manager after Phil Garner was fired Monday, getting a little more than a month to show that he should have the job next year. The Astros began Tuesday 58-73, nine games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
Cooper, Houston’s bench coach the last three seasons, met with his team for about 30 minutes before batting practice.
“I’m pretty comfortable with the players when it’s just moving around with them and talking one-on-one,” Cooper said. “What I have difficulty with is when it’s a big group. I struggle with that a little bit, but those are things I have to get through and work through. The more I do it, the better I’ll get.”
Martinez nears return
Pedro Martinez could rejoin the New York Mets’ rotation in September.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya said he was hopeful that if all goes well, Martinez could start during the final two weeks of the regular season.
Also, the Mets activated outfielder Endy Chavez from the disabled list and sent right-hander Brian Lawrence to Triple-A New Orleans.
Yanks replace Mussina
After winning 247 games in the major leagues, Mike Mussina lost his spot in the New York Yankees’ rotation.
Following three terrible starts in a row, the 38-year-old right-hander was told by manager Joe Torre that he’ll be passed over for his next scheduled start Saturday against Tampa Bay.
The Yankees will call up touted prospect Ian Kennedy, a first-round draft pick last year, from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to pitch against the last-place Devil Rays in the middle of a pennant race.
Clearing the bases
The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the DL. Soriano hasn’t played since suffering a tear in his right quadriceps on Aug. 5. … Electronic bidding began for Barry Bonds’ 755th and 756th home-run balls, with the price for the record-breaker starting at $100,000. Sotheby’s/SCP Auctions is handling sales. … Baseball commissioner Bud Selig met for the first time with city and county leaders, hoping his influence will help the Florida Marlins’ perpetual quest for a new ballpark. Selig said he came away from the meetings satisfied the local officials want a new home for their team.