Astros ace Oswalt willing to lift no-trade clause
SAN FRANCISCO — Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt is willing to go elsewhere, provided he plays for a contender.
Oswalt said Friday he would waive the full no-trade clause in his contract if Houston wants to try to shop him this season — though the right-hander insists he would like to stay with the Astros and help them win.
“I’d love to win here,” Oswalt said. “I just pitch every five days. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s a business, and that’s part of it.”
Houston went into Friday night’s game at San Francisco with a four-game winning streak, but still had the worst record in the National League at 13-21.
Oswalt is 2-4 with a 2.63 ERA and has struggled to get run support this season. He next pitches Saturday against two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
“If a team comes up to you and asks for a trade, that’s pretty much saying they want to go in a different direction,” Oswalt said. “Who’d want to say no to a team that asks you to be traded? If they came to me and wanted to go a different direction, I would listen.”
Nationals-Rockies postponed
DENVER — The Washington Nationals’ game against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night has been postponed by a steady rain falling at Coors Field.
The contest will be made up in a day-night doubleheader today.
Fan dies 3 weeks after fall
MILWAUKEE — Authorities say a baseball spectator has died nearly three weeks after he fell at Miller Park before a Milwaukee Brewers game.
Stuart Springstube of Weyauwega was reaching over a railing for foul balls while the Chicago Cubs took batting practice on April 25.
The 51-one-year-old Springstube fell over the railing to the hard dirt below. A medical examiner’s report released Friday says Springstube suffered a brain hemorrhage after a fall of between 10 and 15 feet. He died Wednesday.
Brewers’ Uecker feeling better
MILWAUKEE — Brewers Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker said he might resume calling home games next month after his recent heart surgery.
“I’m doing unbelievably well — strong — and hopefully I’ll be able to get back in the booth before too much longer,” he said Friday. “That’s what I really want to do.”
Uecker showed up at Miller Park looking healthy, with plenty of color in his face, after having surgery exactly two weeks ago. He is expected to miss up to three months.
Lidge tests clear
MILWAUKEE — Medical tests on the surgically repaired right elbow of Phillies closer Brad Lidge show no structural damage. Lidge went back to Philadelphia this week for an examination. The team says he’s day-to-day with inflammation in the lining of his elbow joint.
Rangers activate OF Cruz
TORONTO — The Texas Rangers have activated outfielder Nelson Cruz from the 15-day disabled list and optioned first baseman Ryan Garko to Class AAA Oklahoma City. Cruz, who is batting .323 with seven home runs and 17 RBI, has been out since April 27 because of a sore right hamstring.
Tigers call up Wells
DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have called up outfielder Casper Wells for what is expected to be a very short major league stay.
Wells was promoted from Triple-A Toledo on Friday. It’s his first time in the majors.
Wells is expected to return to the minors on Sunday to make room for starting pitcher Armando Galarraga. The Tigers need Galarraga to start Sunday’s game against Boston.
No Neshek medical tweets
NEW YORK — Ron Gardenhire wants Pat Neshek to stop tweeting out of turn.
The Minnesota Twins pitcher, on the disabled list since May 2 with a hand injury, wrote on his Twitter account the injury had been misdiagnosed.
“Had MRI, Went to Hand Specialist, found pain was coming from my palm and not my finger like 1st diagnosed,” Neshek said in a May 5 posting.
Gardenhire was not amused his player went public in cyberspace with a complaint against the Twins medical staff.
“My opinion of him tweeting that he was misdiagnosed? Was not very happy with him,” the manager said before Friday’s game against the New York Yankees. “I talked to him. We got it all straightened out.”
Vizquel plays DH
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Omar Vizquel is known for his slick fielding, winning 11 Gold Glove awards.
Now, he can call himself a designated hitter, too.
The White Sox shortstop put away his glove Friday night against Kansas City, sliding into the DH slot for the first time in his 22-year career.
A career .273 hitter, Vizquel got the nod in his 2,753rd career game after manager Ozzie Guillen made a lineup change due to injuries and illness. He hit ninth.
Vizquel is baseball’s all-time leader in games played (2,681) and double plays turned (1,722) as a shortstop. The 43-year-old became the oldest player to start at shortstop in 60 years earlier this season.
Yanks claim Lindsay from Rockies
NEW YORK — Right-hander Shane Lindsay has been claimed by the New York Yankees off waivers from the Colorado Rockies and optioned to Class A Tampa of the Florida State League.
New York cleared a spot on its 40-man roster by giving right-hander Christian Garcia his unconditional release.
Associated Press
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