DIAMONDBACKS TAP TUCSON: The Arizona Diamondbacks will have their Triple-A affiliate just down the road. Jerry Colangelo, managing general partner of the Diamondbacks, announced Friday the Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League will be part of the expansion franchise's farm system.
SURGERY FOR JORDAN: St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Brian Jordan will get one of his medical problems taken care of next week when he has arthroscopic surgery for a two-season-old wrist injury. Jordan, who called it quits for the season on Aug. 25 due to a bulging disc in his back, will have the surgery done next Thursday.ROYALS TO KEEP MONTGOMERY: The Kansas City Royals intend to sign reliever Jeff Montgomery for another season, general manager Herk Robinson said. The team will exercise its 1998 option on Montgomery's contract for $2.8 million, Robinson said Thursday.
PHILLIPS PLEADS NOT GUILTY: Anaheim Angels infielder-outfielder Tony Phillips has pleaded not guilty to a cocaine possession charge. Phillips entered the plea Thursday in a surprise appearance before Judge Linda Miller at North Orange County Municipal Court. Miller scheduled the pretrial hearing for Oct. 7.
His appearance was unexpected because he had been scheduled for arraignment next Thursday.
MCGWIRE MAY STAY WITH CARDS: Mark McGwire thinks he and the St. Louis Cardinals are a perfect match.
"I think there's a pretty d--- good chance I'll be back," McGwire told radio station KMOX on the Cardinals' pregame show Friday night. "Let's hope things work out."
The Cardinals acquired McGwire from the Oakland Athletics on July 31, the trading deadline.