A’s Open in Vegas Without McGwire

The Oakland Athletics, forced to play their “home” opener today at Cashman Field in Las Vegas because of construction at Oakland Coliseum, got more bad news: Mark McGwire has an injured foot and will not play.

Cashman Field has fewer than 9,400 seats.

*

The Philadelphia Phillies postponed their season opener against the Colorado Rockies from today until Tuesday night because heavy rain was forecast for today.

*

One day after Kenny Rogers was dropped from the New York Yankees’ rotation, he was back in it when Melido Perez was hit hard in his final preseason tuneup.

Rogers, humiliated by his demotion to the bullpen Saturday, said he was ready to tell the Yankees to rip up his four-year, $20-million contract less than 24 hours before opening day.

*

Mark Clark, one of several pitchers in the running for the fifth spot in the Cleveland rotation, was traded to the New York Mets on Sunday for outfielder Ryan Thompson and pitcher Reid Cornelius.

Clark likely will move into the rotation for the Mets because of injuries to Bill Pulsipher and Pete Harnisch. Left-hander Pedro Martinez was optioned to Norfolk.