NL NOTEBOOK
Oswalt Out Indefinitely With Strained Hip
The Astros' Roy Oswalt missed his turn in the rotation with a strained hip, and the team isn't sure when he'll pitch again.
(By Pat Sullivan -- Associated Press)
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Astros RHP Roy Oswalt returned to Houston yesterday after experiencing more discomfort in his strained left hip.
Oswalt (7-8, 4.60 ERA) was to be examined by Mike McCann in Houston. On Friday, he felt more pain in the hip when he tried to throw on flat ground.
"He just tried to put a little more into his throw and it just didn't feel good," Manager Cecil Cooper said. "I don't think you can take any chances with Roy, he means too much."
Oswalt left Monday night's start against the Dodgers with the sore hip. His start originally was pushed back from last night to Tuesday. But now Cooper said RHP Brandon Backe will start in Oswalt's place in Pittsburgh.
Cooper said he couldn't speculate on when Oswalt will next pitch.
· MAINE HURTS ELBOW: Mets RHP John Maine left the game against the Phillies in the sixth inning with an apparent injury to his left elbow.
Maine (8-6, 3.91 ERA) threw a fastball to Ryan Howard and walked off the mound holding the elbow on his non-throwing arm. He took a couple of warmup pitches and decided he couldn't continue. Aaron Heilman relieved with the score tied at 3 and struck out Howard to end the inning.
· PENNY OUT UNTIL BREAK: Dodgers RHP Brad Penny is expected to be out through the all-star break after shutting down a simulated game with more pain in his shoulder.
Penny (5-9, 5.88 ERA) has been on the disabled list since June 15 with tendinitis and other shoulder problems.
Chan Ho Park, who started yesterday's game against the Giants, will stay in the rotation, Manager Joe Torre said.
-- From News Services
