Rockies’ James Fights With Cab Driver

Colorado Rockies’ reliever Mike James fought the cab driver who brought him to Cinergy Field for a game Thursday night in Cincinnati and wound up with scrapes and torn clothes.

James said the driver went in the wrong direction, then took offense when he told him to turn around. They fought after the driver dropped him off at a stadium gate.

The right-hander said he wasn’t seriously hurt and was available to pitch against the Reds. He didn’t plan to file a police report, and police said the cab driver had not filed a report Thursday evening.

“It’s unfortunate you can’t pick your cab driver,” he said.

Rockies’ Manager Buddy Bell talked to James after he arrived in the clubhouse.

James, a former Angel, had scrapes above his eye, on his cheek and along the side of his neck following the fight. He also tore his pants.

He said the cab driver went in the wrong direction after picking him up from the team’s downtown hotel, heading past Paul Brown Stadium and away from Cinergy Field.

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The Oakland Athletics exercised their 2003 option on Manager Art Howe, who has led the team to consecutive playoff appearances.

With a move called “just a formality” by General Manager Billy Beane, Oakland added another year to its commitment to Howe, the A’s manager since 1996. Back then, Howe had a two-year contract with a one-year option--and he’s been working year to year ever since.

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Jason Johnson broke the middle finger on his pitching hand in a freak mishap, an injury that will sideline the Baltimore Oriole right-hander for about three weeks. The Orioles put Johnson on the 15-day disabled list. Johnson fractured his finger on the hard dirt of the mound while going through his pitching motion.... St. Louis put left-hander Bud Smith on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left shoulder, the fifth Cardinal starting pitcher to be sidelined this season.... Toronto pitcher Chris Carpenter returned to the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder tendinitis.... New York Yankee pitcher Sterling Hitchcock gave up one run and three hits over six innings in a minor league rehab start for Class-A Tampa. It was Hitchcock’s second start since being put on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain.