Astros fire Cooper as manager

Cecil Cooper was fired Monday as manager of the Houston Astros.

Third base coach Dave Clark was appointed interim manager.

The Astros were 70-79 this season under Cooper, 59, who was hired on Aug. 27, 2007, to replace Phil Garner. Houston had a 171-170 record under Cooper, who was the bench coach under Garner from 2005 to ’07.

Cooper became the fourth manager fired this season. Arizona’s Bob Melvin was fired May 7, Colorado’s Clint Hurdle on May 29 and Washington’s Manny Acta on July 13.

Tazawa is sidelined

The Boston Red Sox put right-hander Junichi Tazawa on the 60-day disabled because of a groin strain and called up infielder Chris Woodward from triple-A Pawtucket.

Scutaro’s season over

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro probably will sit out the rest of the season after an MRI test revealed a tear in his right heel.

Scutaro left Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay in the sixth inning after he felt something pop in his sore heel while charging a grounder.

Scutaro, 33, has been bothered by heel pain since late July.

Prospect arraigned

A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants was charged with murder in the death of a 25-year-old man over the weekend at a bar in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Angel Villalona, who received a club-record $2.1-million bonus when he was signed by the Giants in 2006, pleaded not guilty.

Villalona, 19, could face up to 20 years in prison. A judge ordered Villalona jailed for two months while authorities prepare their case.

The first baseman played in 74 games this season with San Jose of the Class-A California League, batting .267 with nine home runs and 42 runs batted in.