Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
CINCINNATI ó Right-hander Carlos Zambrano was upbeat Friday about his chances of returning to the Chicago Cubs’ rotation in a week, optimistic that an anti-inflammatory injection and rest will be enough to heal his aching shoulder.
Zambrano rejoined the team for the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds one day after he got a medical test that detected inflammation in his right shoulder. He had to rest for two days after getting an injection, and hoped to be back in the rotation next weekend.
“I’ve been worried,” he said. “But I was OK. Thank God it wasn’t serious.”
SCHMIDT FIRES ‘EM UP
NEW YORK ó In a pep talk via e-mail, Mike Schmidt reminded the Philadelphia Phillies of their big comeback to win the NL East last season and said “the Mets know you’re better than they are.”
With the Phillies opening a crucial, three-game series at New York on Friday night, the Hall of Famer sent an e-mail to manager Charlie Manuel hoping to fire up the team. Manuel posted it.
“One pitch, one at bat, one play, one situation, think ‘small’ and ‘big’ things result, tough at-bats, lots of walks, stay up the middle with men on base, whatever it takes to ‘keep the line moving’ on offense, 27 outs on defense, the Mets know you’re better than they are,” Schmidt said.
OUCH!
CHICAGO ó American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken right wrist stemming from his own temper, and the Chicago White Sox left fielder will have surgery Monday that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
Quentin was injured Monday night in Cleveland. After fouling off a pitch while batting against Cliff Lee, Quentin hit his right hand on the bat as he was holding it with his left.
BECKETT’S BACK
ARLINGTON, Texas ó The Boston Red Sox got right-hander Josh Beckett off the 15-day disabled list.
Beckett, who had last pitched Aug. 17 due to right elbow inflammation, started Friday night against Texas.
TRADEBALTIMORE ó The Baltimore Orioles acquired help for their beleaguered pitching staff Friday, getting minor leaguer Brian Bass from the Minnesota Twins.