Hip Problem Forces Mets’ Cone to Retire

David Cone retired Friday, cutting short his comeback with the New York Mets and calling it a career at age 40 because of a hip problem.

“This is the end, for sure,” the pitcher said at Shea Stadium.

To take his place on the roster, the Mets activated 42-year-old reliever John Franco from the disabled list. He had been sidelined since the 2001 season after elbow surgery.

Cone was 1-3 with a 6.50 earned-run average in five games this season, four of them starts. He made his final appearance Wednesday in Philadelphia, giving up one run in two innings of relief.

He had spent more than a month on the disabled list because of an arthritic left hip. He made three rehabilitation starts at Class-A St. Lucie, going 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Cone was 194-126 in a big league career that began in 1986 with Kansas City. He won a Cy Young Award with the Royals and pitched a perfect game with the New York Yankees.

*

Cleveland Indian pitcher Jason Bere probably is out for the season and may need more surgery after an MRI revealed more damage in his shoulder.

The right-hander was examined Thursday by team doctor Mark Schickendantz and tests found more fraying in Bere’s rotator cuff. Bere was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

*

Boston Red Sox pitching coach Tony Cloninger, undergoing chemotherapy to treat bladder cancer, didn’t make the trip to Toronto because of the SARS scare. Cloninger, 62, and the Red Sox medical staff agreed that he shouldn’t make the trip, Red Sox spokesperson Kevin Shea said.

*

The Seattle Mariners put utilityman John Mabry on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured tendon in his right shoulder.... The Texas Rangers put infielder Herbert Perry on the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder tendinitis and recalled third baseman Mike Lamb from triple-A Oklahoma.... Outfielder Jermaine Dye was activated from the 15-day disabled list for Oakland, which optioned catcher Mark Johnson to triple-A Sacramento.