Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke for a franchise when asked about the latest exam to be performed on Stephen Strasburg's valuable right arm. "I'm very anxious about that," Riggleman said. Thursday was a day of suspense at Nationals Park as the 22-year-old right-hander underwent his second MRI in less than a week. Read more..
With three straight wins in Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled themselves back into the NL wild-card race. Casey Blake hit a two-run homer and six Dodgers pitchers combined on a two-hitter as Los Angeles beat the Brewers 7-1 Thursday for a three-game sweep. "We've been saying all along, first let's try to put something together and then we'll see where we are," Dodgers... Read more..
Padres right-hander Chris Young has thrown another simulated game as he works his way back from a shoulder injury with the goal of pitching again this season. The 6-foot-10 Young threw 55 pitches in three innings Thursday before the NL West leaders hosted the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks. Young says he felt better as the simulated game progressed. Read more..
Jordan Zimmermann has been recalled by the Washington Nationals to make his first major league start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals. Zimmermann returned to the big leagues Thursday, just more than a year after having elbow ligament replacement surgery. He last pitched for the Nationals on July 18, 2009, and had the operation on Aug. Read more..
There's something about the Phillies that brings out the best in the Houston Astros. Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years. "Houston has been a team that for years has given us problems," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. Read more..
Cooke's broken hand puts damper on Wildcats' latest victory
Outfielder could miss rest of season
TE ATATU - Just as the West City Wildcats are on a roll, when all facets of their game are clicking and they have one of the best records in the Premier League, they are confronted with a staggering loss.
Star rookie outfielder Ryan Cooke could miss the rest of the season with fractures in the third and fourth metacarpal bones and a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right hand after a collision with fellow outfielder Daniel Lowe on Sunday morning.
"That's a real bummer," West City starter Gordon Niemann said after pitching a five-hitter for his first complete game since the Spring Shield final, as the Wildcats beat the Angels 14-4.
"It's hard to sit back and enjoy the victory when one of your best young players goes down. He's young and if he looks after himself right, can no doubt heal quicker than most," Niemann added. "It's up to the other guys to pick him up."
After the collision in the fourth inning, Cooke left the game and went to a hospital for X-rays. He is seeing a specialist on Monday but will likely be in a cast for three weeks, Wildcats spokesman Gareth Hooton said.
"He was just starting to run the way we thought he could, playing well in the outfield and hitting the ball with some power," manager Ken Sommers said.
"A bad break for us. Just an unfortunate thing. ... It's a shame, it really is. Things happen in baseball."
For a team that hajust won the Spring Shield and was looking strong on their way towards the National Championships in February, the injury to Cooke was startlingly bad luck. He left the game with a .250 average, and an RBI.
Coach Alan Lotze and Sommers came out of the dugout. Cooke was on one knee while Lotze examined him, then walked to the dugout.
"That's terrible. I feel bad for him," Angels catcher Taka Yokota said.
Niemann is now 7-1 this season. He struck out 11 as the Wildcats improved to 8-2.
But the victory Sunday morning was overshadowed by the loss of Cooke.
"He fought hard to get back. He was just getting his feel for the game and then has to go through this," Wildcats first baseman Lawrence Lotze said. "He's going to be in a cast and that really limits what you are going to do. I'm sure he's frustrated. I just feel for him."
Cooke was not in the clubhouse after the game.
"What can we do?" third baseman Daniel Bradley asked. `We've got to move on. ... It's a big loss."
