Rays/MLB

Cardinals don't expect closer back this season

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 17, 2006

ST. LOUIS - Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen likely will miss the rest of the season because of a bad left hip, pitching coach Dave Duncan said Saturday.

"I don't expect that Izzy's going to pitch anymore," Duncan said. "I think it's just determining what to do."

Isringhausen has not pitched since Sept. 6, when he blew his career-high 10th save chance in 43 tries for the NL Central leaders.

Isringhausen had a discouraging bullpen session Friday in his first attempt at throwing since a cortisone shot Monday, and he said his hip still hindered him. He said he planned to meet with Duncan, general manager Walt Jocketty and manager Tony La Russa to decide the next step.

The right-hander had hip surgery in October 2004 after posting a career-best 47 saves for the NL champion, and he probably will need another operation. He is signed for next year, and the Cardinals have an option for 2008.

"We haven't had a big sitdown," Duncan said. "We've talked amongst ourselves about it."

HARDEN TO START: Athletics right-hander Rich Harden is scheduled to pitch for the first time in more than three months with a start Thursday against the Indians.

"The strategy is to get Rich Harden on the mound healthy," pitching coach Curt Young said. "That's the No. 1 thing. Now he'll do a side like he's going to start a game. If he feels good about it, then it will be a go."

Harden has been sidelined since June 5 with a sprained ligament in his right elbow. He has pitched just once, four innings against Minnesota on June 4, since April 26. A muscle strain in his back put him on the disabled list in late April.

Harden (3-0, 3.86 in six starts) threw 62 pitches, mostly fastballs and changeups, in a simulated four-inning game Saturday.

RIVERA HEALING: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 26 pitches in a bullpen session, the first time since Aug. 31 the right-hander had worked off a mound. Rivera, sidelined by a muscle strain near his pitching elbow, is scheduled for another bullpen session Tuesday and could be pitching in games by the end of next week, manager Joe Torre said.

JAPAN'S NOLAN RYAN: Left-hander Masahiro Yamamoto, 41, became the oldest pitcher in Japanese baseball to pitch a no-hitter as the Chunichi Dragons beat the Hanshin Tigers 3-0 in Nagoya. Yamamoto struck out five and had no walks for his first no-hitter. Only one runner reached on a fourth-inning fielding error by the third baseman.

REDS: Hitting coach Chris Chambliss was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for arguing balls and strikes. He sat out the game against the Cubs.

[Last modified September 17, 2006, 00:44:53]