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Rockies lose two starters

Colorado pitcher Aaron Cook is one of two Rockies' starters lost to injury. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Colorado pitcher Aaron Cook is one of two Rockies' starters lost to injury. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

The Colorado Rockies have lost right-handed starters Aaron Cook and Jason Hirsh for the remainder of the season.

Cook, the team’s opening day starter, was shut down for the year when he re-injured his left abdomen in a rehab start Saturday night. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle made the announcement Sunday before the team’s 4-3 win at Arizona.

Cook had not pitched since Aug. 10, and he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 20.

The Rockies had hoped to bring him back after a rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday, but he left the game after 27 pitches.

Cook was 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA. He was 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA after the All-Star break.

The 25-year-old Hirsh broke his right fibula when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Milwaukee’s J.J. Hardy on Aug. 7. Hirsh shook it off and pitched six innings to get the win. The next day, X-rays showed a fracture in the right fibula, the thin bone on the outside of his lower leg.

Hirsh said he had another X-ray last Tuesday that showed the leg was healing, but doctors and trainer Keith Dugger decided later that day for him to shut him down for the rest of 2007.

Hirsh started 19 games this season, going 5-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 112 1-3 innings.

Mauer talk answered

Joe Mauer might be out for another week with his latest lower-body injury, a strained left hamstring.

There’s no target for his return, but when he does come back he will still be behind the plate.

Mauer and the Twins were worked up after both local newspapers published columns calling for Mauer to be moved to third base.

“Fill one big gaping hole at third base? Let’s just make another gaping hole behind the plate? Tell me which one’s more important,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Mauer was upset about insinuation that he is unable to play with pain. He also downplayed the effect catching has had on his health.

Clearing the bases

The Minnesota Twins recalled outfielder Lew Ford from Triple-A Rochester. … The San Francisco Giants recalled right-handed reliever Scott Munter from Triple-A Fresno.