Top News:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Soriano's Numbers Won't Come Cheap — WASHINGTON, June 14 — Alfonso Soriano is the king of his corner in the Washington Nationals' clubhouse and an even bigger king in the baseball universe. Soriano acts like a star, he is a star and he wants to remain a star — here, there and everywhere.
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Marc Carig / Washington Post:
Nationals' Pitching Is Left In Tatters — Rockies Collect 18 Hits in Rout: Rockies 14, Nationals 8 — Caught in the crossfire of a slugfest, the Washington Nationals turned to relief pitcher Bill Bray to restore a little sanity to what had been a weird game last night at RFK Stadium.
Yahoo! Sports:
Prime target — Prime target — Less than three months ago, Alfonso Soriano was one of the most vilified athletes in the United States. He was a selfish, greedy prima donna who flatly refused to take the field for a spring training game in Florida, defying his manager and his team's front office …
Keith Law / ESPN:
Ortiz's money already had gone to waste … The Arizona Diamondbacks made a solid baseball decision Tuesday when they kicked Russ Ortiz to the curb — but contrary to what you'll read about this almost anywhere you look, they won't be "eating" $22 million of his salary (which appears …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins rally to top Braves — Helms homers twice; Abercrombie scores on error in 10th — MIAMI — Roles are starting to reverse for the suddenly opportunistic Marlins. — Three weeks ago, any Florida miscue was exploited and magnified, leading to a string of frustrating setbacks.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Notes: Antonelli ready for transition — Padres' newly signed top pick headed for Class A Eugene — SAN DIEGO — On May 25, Matt Antonelli played in his last game of the 2006 college baseball season for Wake Forest. — Now, that final game against Miami seems long ago …
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Ankiel shelved for rest of year — Pitcher-turned-outfielder may be ready for Spring Training 2007 — PITTSBURGH — The Cardinals confirmed on Wednesday that pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel has undergone left knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2006 season.
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David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
Timlin Back From DL — Now Foulke (Elbow) Is Out — MINNEAPOLIS — As expected, the Red Sox activated Mike Timlin from the disabled list Tuesday. The team made another roster move that came as somewhat of a surprise. — Keith Foulke was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury.
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Jesse / Twinkie Town:
Morneau On Fire; Radke Heating Up — Ah, NBA Jam...HE'S HEATING UP...HE'S ON FIRE!!! — Question of the Month: How many grand slams can we hit in June? — Justin Morneau continued his torrid week, continuing to bash longballs and knock in runs like he's never done before at the Major League level.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets cruise to seventh straight victory — Wright goes deep, Delgado drives in three in rout of Phils — PHILADELPHIA — Suspense, the intangible that makes pennant races compelling, memorable and delicious, appears to be leaking from the 2006 National League East even now.
Discussion:
WELCOME TO
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insidebayarea.com:
NEW: A's pitcher Loaiza arrested for speeding, dui — OAKLAND - Oakland A's pitcher Esteban Loaiza, 34, was arrested early Wednesday morning on DUI charges after officers pulled him over for speeding, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. — CHP Officer Mike Wright said Loaiza …
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MLB.com:
Oliver: Back in the game — I came out of retirement this spring because I still love baseball and I still have a strong desire to play. It just happened to work out for me with the Mets during Spring Training and I was able to earn a spot on the pitching staff. — I had decided to retire on my own terms.
Discussion:
LoneStar Mets
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: The Weaver dilemma — Colon set to start this weekend; Erstad gets a rest — ANAHEIM — Another day has brought a bit more perspective to an issue that may prove as critical as any the Angels will make this season. — Jered Weaver has yet to be moved out of the rotation and to prove …
Associated Press:
Prior pitches 6 2-3 innings in strong rehab start — METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior had the most effective start of his four rehab outings in the minors, holding the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs to four hits and one unearned run in 6 2-3 innings.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Milledge likely headed to Minors — Outfielder expected to be sent down to make room for Nady — PHILADELPHIA — The days Lastings Milledge will spend in the big leagues in the immediate future appear numbered, though the number hasn't been determined.
Rick Braun / JSOnline:
Villanueva to make first start — Rookie righty fills spot vacated by De La Rosa — rbraun@journalsentinel.com — Cincinnati - Rookie right-hander Carlos Villanueva will get the ball today for his first major-league start when the Milwaukee Brewers close their three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Bryan Smith / The Baseball Analysts:
Tier Promotion — There is no such thing as a pitching prospect. With the recent graduation of one of the minors' top classes of phenoms in recent memory, a phrase normally left for hyperbole is becoming all-but-too literal. — This winter, prospect pundits made cases for their annual pick …
