Oswalt open to trade talk
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, which has the worst record in the National League, wants to try to shop him this season.
First baseman Lance Berkman also has said he would be open to a trade.
Vizquel DH for first time at age 43
White Sox shortstop Omar Vizquel slid into the designated hitter slot for the first time in his 22-year career Friday against Kansas City.
A career .273 hitter, Vizquel, 43, got the nod in his 2,753rd career game after manager Ozzie Guillen made a lineup change because of injuries and illness. He hit ninth.
Tweet makes Gardenhire sour
Minnesota Twins pitcher Pat Neshek, on the disabled list since May 2 with a hand injury, wrote on his Twitter account the injury had been misdiagnosed.
Manager Ron Gardenhire was not amused.
“My opinion of him tweeting that he was misdiagnosed? Was not very happy with him,” the manager said. “We got it all straightened out.”
Uecker feels better
Brewers Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker said he might resume calling home games next month after his recent heart surgery.
Uecker showed up at Miller Park looking healthy after having surgery exactly two weeks ago. He was expected to miss up to three months.
Clearing the bases
Medical tests on the surgically repaired right elbow of Phillies closer Brad Lidge show no structural damage. The Phillies also said shortstop Jimmy Rollins is set to begin a rehab assignment at Class A Clearwater. Rollins is recovering from a strained right calf. … The Royals fired third-base coach Dave Owen, shifted first base coach Eddie Rodriguez to third base and made Rusty Kuntz the first-base coach. … A baseball spectator has died nearly three weeks after he fell at Miller Park before a Brewers game. A medical examiner’s report released Friday says Stuart Springstube, 51, suffered a brain hemorrhage after a fall of between 10 and 15 feet. He died Wednesday.