Arbitrator ends the suspension of Rogers

An arbitrator granted Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers a reprieve yesterday, ending the lefthander's 20-game suspension handed down from baseball commissioner Bud Selig for shoving two cameramen before a game at Texas June 29.

Arbitrator Shyam Das, who heard the case in Chicago Monday, ruled that Selig's decision went too far. Das also reestablished Rogers's $50,000 fine as a ''charitable contribution."

Rogers will be available to start tonight against the Red Sox in the third and final game of the Rangers' series at Fenway Park. He will have missed 13 games.

In a statement released by Major League Baseball, Selig said he strongly disagreed with Das's decision.

''It sends the wrong message to every one of our constituents: the fans, the media, and our players," he said. ''There is a standard of behavior that is expected of our players, which was breached in this case. The arbitrator's decision diminishes that standard and is contrary to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. In my opinion, the decision is seriously ill-conceived."

Texas manager Buck Showalter heard about the ruling around 4 p.m. yesterday, after which he called Rogers, who was in Chicago at the airport, en route to Boston. Showalter said Rogers was due to arrive around 9 last night and will start tonight.

''We're excited to get Kenny back as a teammate and as a pitcher for our organization," said Showalter. ''We're looking forward to him helping us compete against the Red Sox tomorrow."

Rogers's suspension caused him to miss two or three starts, Showalter said. The 40-year-old lefty was chastised by many in the baseball world for his outburst, but not everyone found fault with Rogers.

Red Sox pitcher David Wells spoke in support of his fellow pitcher shortly after Rogers was selected to the American League All-Star team.

''I'm glad he did that," Wells said in a July 8 story in the Globe. ''He needed to vent. He's been a mild-mannered ballplayer his whole life . . . What Kenny did, I'm fine with. The cameraman wasn't hurt. He went to the hospital, pretending to be hurt. He's winking at another guy, saying, 'I'm going to get paid.' That guy's a [expletive] idiot."

Showalter would not comment directly on either ruling yesterday -- the initial suspension or the reinstatement -- but said Rogers has handled the situation well.

''Every time someone's challenged Kenny like that, he's always responded real well," said Showalter. ''He'll pitch well for us, hopefully, tomorrow. If not, the next time out. It's always going to be good things will be around the corner.

''We've been lucky to have him. He's been having as good of a year as anybody you're going to see. Getting him back out there is exciting for us.

''We've been through this situation with Kenny this year, and it's something that we've dealt with. I think he's dealt with it real well, all things considered.

''It's time to move on and get the focus back on trying to get people out. That's challenging enough."