Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Zimmerman's Homer Lifts Nationals Over Yankees — Sitting along the third base line more than 20 rows from the Washington Nationals' dugout at RFK Stadium, Keith Zimmerman watched New York Yankees left fielder Melky Cabrera run down a blast off the bat of Jose Vidro to end the eighth inning …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Bowden active in trade talks — General manager in daily discussions regarding potentials deals — WASHINGTON — Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is having daily discussions with opposing general managers when it comes to making possible trades.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
Associated Press:
That's all, folks — Karsay announces retirement after 11-year career — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Karsay had the rare luxury of beginning and ending his career with the same club. — Karsay announced his retirement from the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, one day after pitching the A's …
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Yost finesses lineup — Weeks getting comfortable with the leadoff spot — MILWAUKEE — Brewers manager Ned Yost shuffled the deck again on Saturday, still looking for the right offensive mix nearly halfway into the season. — Yost batted Rickie Weeks in his usual leadoff hole …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Are 13-man staff's days ending? — With Helling set to return, Brewers could add a hitter — MILWAUKEE — When the Brewers elected to become the league's only team with a 13-man pitching staff in mid-April, manager Ned Yost had to sell the move to bench coach Robin Yount.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Torre alters rotation — Yankees looking for ways to aid overworked bullpen — WASHINGTON — With the Yankees' bullpen in a state of disarray, manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Ron Guidry have decided to rearrange the team's starting rotation. — With an off-day on Thursday …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
For Yankees' Small, Rags to Riches to Rags
For Yankees' Small, Rags to Riches to Rags
Discussion:
Canyon of Heroes
ESPN:
Transcript: David Segui's interview with ESPN … David Segui, in an interview with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap on Saturday, admitted that his was one of the names redacted in an IRS affidavit that claims Jason Grimsley received two kits of human growth hormone. Portions of that conversation …
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Smoltz takes on Schilling in finale — Boston (38-28) at Atlanta (30-39), 8:05 p.m. ET — If the Braves are going to prevent being swept in a second straight series, they're going to need John Smoltz to break out of his recent funk and emerge victorious against Curt Schilling and the Red Sox.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Ryan Crawford / MLB.com:
Cubs sign two-sport star Samardzija — Fifth-round pick to pitch until football season starts in August — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs on Sunday agreed in principle to a contract with Jeff Samardzija, a two-sport star from the University of Notre Dame. — Samardzija, a right-handed pitcher …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Pitcher takes a big step — ARLINGTON — A few days ago, there was reason to worry. John Koronka's aura had faded. The man who was the surprise of the season had become predictable and not in a good way. — Koronka was not exactly his early-season self Saturday.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' attendance off more than 11 percent
Rangers' attendance off more than 11 percent
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Loe headed to disabled list — Right-hander experiencing soreness in right elbow — ARLINGTON — The Rangers are placing pitcher Kameron Loe on the disabled list because of soreness in his right elbow. — The Rangers are expected to call up either right-hander Robinson Tejeda …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Fox Sports:
These guys could be due for a reality check — At this moment in time, we have a whopping 18 teams within five games or fewer of a playoff berth. — Of course, we're still almost a month from the All-Star break, so that pool of contenders will certainly be winnowed down over the next few weeks.
Baseball America:
Devil Rays' Durham Woes Continue — With new ownership and management in place, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays adopted the slogan "Under Construction" this offseason. Based on the numerous incidents the organization has endured this season, it is clear the Rays are still a work in progress.
Discussion:
The GYS Network
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Claussen placed on 15-day DL — Struggling lefty will be replaced in rotation by Mays — CINCINNATI — The Reds were already poised to remove struggling lefty Brandon Claussen from the rotation in favor of right-hander Joe Mays. However, an unexpected development on Saturday made that decision less problematic.
Associated Press:
Padres-Angels Preview — Bartolo Colon may be the ace of the Los Angeles Angels pitching staff, but he may have a tough time matching the performance of his replacement when he returns to the mound on Sunday for the first time in two months. — Colon tries to help the Los Angeles Angels …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Notes: Alito lives out a lifelong 'dream' — Supreme Court Associate Justice throws out first pitch — PHILADELPHIA — Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr. was just another Phillies fan on Sunday afternoon. — The newly appointed member of the nation's highest court lived …
Discussion:
Sports Law Blog