Disgraced, at least for now, Los Angeles Dodgers star Manny Ramirez will be eligible to return to the club after his 50-game suspension on July 3 in time for a weekend series at San Diego. 

The San Diego Padres finally broke through against the Houston Astros' struggling bullpen but still couldn't pull out a win. 

The San Diego Padres finally broke through against the Houston Astros' struggling bullpen but still couldn't pull out a win. 

Hunter Pence decided to take a chance and the Houston Astros were glad he did - when the play was over. 

Hunter Pence decided to take a chance and the Houston Astros were glad he did - when the play was over. 

--Managers usually inform star players the day before if they will have a day off or move from a spot in the lineup where they've been for a long time. 

--LHP Wandy Rodriguez went a season-high eight innings, throwing eight scoreless. 

Astros hitting coach Sean Berry had his cancerous right kidney removed by Dr. 

In the opener of a series between two of the lowest-scoring teams in the NL, the absence of Houston Astros slugger Lance Berkman figured to have an impact. 

ST. 

It was not the Wandy Rodriguez the Astros have known before this season. 

May 8, 2009 (Cubbie Nation - Notes From the Front Office delivered byNewstex) -- 

First baseman Lance Berkman was a late scratch from the Houston Astros lineup for their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night because of soreness in his left wrist. 

Astros hitting coach Sean Berry has had a kidney with a cancerous tumor on it removed. 

--C Humberto Quintero, who suffered a strained right shoulder April 24, will begin a four-game rehab assignment Friday with Class AAA Round Rock.