Former outfielder Gabe Kapler, who spent the past season managing in the Boston Red Sox minor league system, will try to resume his playing career in the majors in 2008.

"Managing was incredible for me this year," said the 32-year-old former Moorpark College star, who managed Class A Greenville of the South Atlantic League. "I learned so much about baseball, about the young men I had an opportunity to lead, and about myself. Ultimately, the experience reawakened the competitor in me. I miss the battle. I still need to be on the field as a player.

"My body is as healthy as it has ever been, and I must take advantage of that. Managing was an important component of my development, and I am eternally grateful to the Red Sox for having provided me the opportunity to tackle a new challenge."

Kapler played in the major leagues from 1998 to 2006 with Detroit, Texas, Colorado, and Boston, hitting .264 with 64 homers and 302 RBIs in 850 games. He was a member of the 2004 Red Sox team that won the World Series.

Wade hired by Astros as general manager: Ed Wade was hired Thursday as general manager of the Houston Astros, two years after the Philadelphia Phillies fired him as GM following eight seasons without a playoff appearance.

The 51-year-old, who worked in public relations for the Astros early in a career that began in 1977, was heavily criticized in Philadelphia for his reluctance to make significant moves before the trade deadline and for giving big-money, long-term contracts to players who underachieved.

Griffey will miss rest of season with groin strain: Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season because of a strained groin, the latest in a string of injuries to Cincinnati's All-Star outfielder.

Griffey left Wednesday night's game at Chicago in the eighth inning after injuring himself while fielding a ball in right field.

Blue Jays' Wells to have season-ending surgery: Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells will have season-ending surgery Tuesday for a cyst and torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Dr. James Andrews will operate in Birmingham, Ala. Toronto expects Wells to be ready for the start of spring training.

Braves' Soriano suspended four games for plunking Marlins' Uggla: Atlanta's Rafael Soriano was suspended for four games by Major League Baseball, three days after he hit Florida's Dan Uggla with a pitch.

Orioles' Payton suspended two games after ejection: Baltimore's Jay Payton was suspended two games by Major League Baseball for throwing his bat and helmet after he was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Mike Reilly following a strikeout on Wednesday.

Rangers' Padilla drops appeal of seven-game suspension: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Vicente Padilla dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension and started serving it.

Padilla was suspended Tuesday for intentionally throwing at Oakland's Nick Swisher, who then charged the mound in the first inning of Sunday's game in Oakland.

Cardinals' Duncan undergoes surgery for sports hernia: Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and will miss the rest of the season.

Reds' protest against Cubs denied: The Reds' protest of their 7-6 loss at the Cubs this week was denied by Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

The Reds claimed Chicago manager Lou Piniella made a double switch against the rules in the sixth inning because he did not inform the plate umpire before crossing the foul line.