ATLANTA – Bobby Cox is finding it difficult to shake old baseball habits.

Cox, who retired last year after 29 years as a manager, including 25 with Atlanta, said Wednesday he still watches every Braves game. And the man who was tossed from more games than any manager in baseball history said he still finds himself in an argumentative mood when the calls go against the Braves.

Now there are no umpires around to hear his protests. “Just the wife,” Cox said with a laugh.

The Braves will retire his No. 6 before tonight’s game against the Cubs. Cox, 70, also will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. He said he is humbled as he prepares for his big day.

“It’s as great an honor as a manager or player could ever have, being inducted into the Hall of Fame and having your number retired,” Cox said.

NATIONALS: Michael Morse had to leave Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs after being hit on the elbow by a pitch.

Morse was down in the count 0-2 leading off the seventh in a 1-1 game when Ryan Dempster’s pitch hit him in the left elbow.

Morse walked to first base, where he doubled over in pain as the Nationals’ training staff and Manager Davey Johnson came onto the field to check on him. After a couple of minutes, Morse was removed for pinch-runner Jonny Gomes.

RANGERS: Outfielder Craig Gentry has been reinstated from the seven-day concussion disabled list. Right-hander Darren O’Day was optioned to Round Rock to make room on the active roster.

TIGERS: Outfielder Brennan Boesch is expected to miss a few games because of a sprained right thumb. Boesch, one of the first-place club’s top run producers, had his thumb examined by renowned hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham. Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said an MRI revealed a second-degree sprain.

ORIOLES: Pitcher Jake Arrieta is scheduled to have season-ending surgery today to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.

CARDINALS: The Cardinals bolstered their bullpen for the stretch run by coming to terms with veteran left-hander Arthur Rhodes.

BREWERS: Milwaukee promoted right-hander Frankie De La Cruz from Triple-A Nashville to take the spot of injured left-hander Chris Narveson.

DIAMONDBACKS: Arizona claimed infielder Tommy Manzella off waivers from the Astros and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.