PHILADELPHIA - Andy Pettitte's lost season ended Wednesday when the Astros announced the left-hander would have surgery on his troublesome pitching elbow next week.
"It was getting to the point where the guys were focused on whether I could make it through the inning, much less get through the year," Pettitte said in a conference call. "I'm in unfamiliar territory. This is extremely disappointing."
Pettitte went on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season. Dr. James Andrews will operate Tuesday to repair a torn flexor tendon.
Pettitte is scheduled to start rehabilitating the day after surgery and be in a brace up to six weeks. He is expected to resume throwing 12 to 16 weeks after the procedure.
Astros right-hander Roger Clemens strained his right calf but isn't expected to miss a start.
OWNERS MEETING: Trying to get the most favorable possible ballpark deal for the Expos, Major League Baseball instructed its lawyers to press ahead with negotiations involving four areas bidding for the team.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said the meetings will take place within 10 days but didn't specify any communities. The Associated Press said the meeting will be set up with Northern Virginia; Washington; Las Vegas; and Norfolk, Va.
The relocation meeting highlighted the opening day of the session in Philadelphia that ends today, when owners are expected to approve a three-year contract extension through 2009 for commissioner Bud Selig.
NO SURGERY FOR SHEFFIELD: Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield will not need surgery on his ailing left shoulder, but he said he'll likely get two more cortisone shots to alleviate the pain.
Orthopedist Frank Jobe told the Tampa native his trapezius muscle is slightly separating from the bone. Sheffield plans to play through the pain.
Also, Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi continued his upper body workout and ran in an indoor pool a day after mildly straining his groin in Tampa.
NO CONFIDENCE: Phillies general manager Ed Wade declined to give manager Larry Bowa an endorsement, saying only, "He's the manager."
Told that comment can be interpreted many ways, Wade replied: "Interpret it any way you want."
The Phillies, a preseason favorite to win the NL East, are barely on the fringes of the wild-card race.
ZAMBRANO AILING: Mets right-hander and former Devil Ray Victor Zambrano is headed to New York for tests to determine what's causing pain in his pitching elbow. Zambrano said he had pain before the July 30 trade but had been able to work through it. That changed Tuesday night against Colorado, when he had to leave in the second after his elbow tightened up.
Meanwhile, a fan who ran onto the field during a Mets game May 4 was sentenced to eight weekends in jail and ordered to stay out of Shea Stadium for three years. John McCarthy, 38, of Totowa, N.J., pleaded guilty to interfering with a pro sports event.
GIANTS CAUTIOUS WITH ACE: San Francisco still was unsure whether right-hander Jason Schmidt's strained right groin will keep him from making his next start. The NL All-Star was hurt when he hustled to cover first on a double play to end the eighth Tuesday.
DODGERS ADD RELIEF: Los Angeles acquired left-hander Scott Stewart from the Indians one day after learning setup man Darren Dreifort may be lost for the season. The NL West leaders sent a player to be named or cash to Cleveland.
A'S: Left-hander Arthur Rhodes, who missed seven weeks with a back strain, was activated from the disabled list.
MARINERS: Closer Eddie Guardado will not need surgery on his ailing pitching shoulder. Angels team doctor Lewis Yocum, offering a second opinion, said the left-hander's shoulder should heal on its own. ... Rookie third baseman Justin Leone likely will miss the rest of the season after he broke two fingers on his left hand when he was hit by a pitch Tuesday night.
ORIOLES: Jerry Hairston is out for the rest of the season after breaking his left ankle trying to catch a home run ball in centerfield Tuesday.
TIGERS: Catcher Ivan Rodriguez was a late scratch with a sore right hip.
WHITE SOX: Manager Ozzie Guillen was back at the ballpark after spending one night in a hospital because of a kidney stone. Guillen passed the stone the previous night.
