Baseball

MLB likely to suspend Rogers

A decision on Kenny Rogers, who shoved two cameramen and threw a camera to the ground and kicked it, could come today.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Kenny Rogers' immediate future will be determined by Major League Baseball, and the Rangers expect their ace to be suspended for his angry outburst that sent a television cameraman to the hospital.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks talked with commissioner Bud Selig multiple times Thursday and found out that baseball has jurisdiction because the incident occurred on the field. Hicks said a decision on discipline is expected today, but he anticipated Rogers would be suspended.

"At this point there's nothing the Texas Rangers will or can do," he said. "We will support whatever the commissioner decides to do."

Surrounded by cameras Thursday after the Rangers' 18-5 victory over the Angels, Rogers, a former Plant City standout, joked with teammates in the clubhouse but didn't respond to questions from reporters.

The left-hander, 40, traveled with the team to Seattle, where he's scheduled to pitch the series finale Sunday. He wasn't seen in the clubhouse before Thursday's game or in the dugout during it.

Rogers shoved two cameramen before Wednesday's game in a tirade that included throwing a camera to the ground, kicking it and threatening to break more. The outburst was captured on videotape.

KDFW cameraman Larry Rodriguez, treated at a hospital for pain in his shoulder, arm and leg, filed an assault report Wednesday, Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour said.

"Although it is very early in the investigation, at this point, it appears we are investigating a misdemeanor assault case," Gilfour said in a statement Thursday.

No charges had been filed.

"He made it very clear to me that he did the wrong thing and it was inappropriate," general manager John Hart said. "It was out of character, way out of character for Kenny."

Hart said Rogers was upset at the perception that he missed his start Tuesday night for some reason other than the broken pinkie in his nonthrowing hand, sustained in an angry outburst after a game two weeks ago.

"That's the crux of the matter for Kenny," he said.

Rogers has sought a contract extension from the Rangers, and some media and fans viewed his missing a start against the first-place Angels as a possible ploy in negotiations.

Rogers hasn't spoken to most media since before spring training, when the pitcher met with Hicks and asked about an extension to his two-year contract that expires after this season. He denied a report that he threatened to retire and has since quit talking publicly.

Hart said there had been some recent talks with Rogers' agent, Scott Boras, about a new contract, but there would be no more discussion about a new deal until after the season.

"Our vision of where the dollars are and his are too far apart," Hart said. "With that, compounded by the last several days, we're going to table any contract talks until the end of the year."

Before giving up six runs on 10 hits in 31/3 innings at Los Angeles on June 22, Rogers had won nine straight decisions, a career best, and was the AL ERA leader.

It wasn't known until Rogers pulled out of his last start that he pitched last week with the broken bone in his hand.

[Last modified July 1, 2005, 01:24:21]