Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Barrett starts suspension — CLEVELAND — Michael Barrett's defense for punching White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was found lacking by Major League Baseball, which refused Monday to reduce his 10-game suspension. — Barrett began serving the suspension immediately, and will be eligible to return June 30 …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Barrett's 10-game suspension upheld — Cubs catcher begins to serve penalty Monday in Cleveland — CHICAGO — Major League Baseball arbitrator John McHale Jr. upheld the 10-game suspension issued for Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, who was to begin serving the penalty Monday night when the team opened a three-game series in Cleveland.
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Notes: Tracy voices his concerns — Skipper wants to diffuse mentality of losing on club — PITTSBURGH — This much is certain 70 games through Jim Tracy's first season as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates: He's determined to do whatever he possibly can to change an atmosphere of losing …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Tough plays or not, Tracy says Pirates must change thinking, execution — Tough plays or not, Tracy says Pirates must change thinking, execution — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Tracy said Monday he never intentionally reprimands a player in public …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
mlb.mlb.com:
Soriano and Bay break into top three outfield spots; Reyes winning voting race for shortstop — Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals and Jason Bay of the Pittsburgh Pirates have advanced into second and third place, respectively, among outfielders while Jose Reyes of the New York Mets …
Andrew Bare / MLB.com:
Cubs feast on Tribe, wash away slide — Blanco homers, drives in four as Chicago halts six-game skid — CLEVELAND — In Greek mythology, Zeus was the Rain God, though he obviously performed many other functions. Most well-known of those functions was King of the Gods. He was the most powerful of the Olympians.
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox kick off nine-game homestand — Washington (32-39) at Boston (39-28), 7:05 p.m. ET — After spending the wee hours of Monday morning flying the friendly skies back to Boston, the Red Sox figure to be a bit weary by the time they take the field for the opener of this three-game series against the Nationals.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will the Nationals deal Soriano? — Reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Why would we trade such a great player like Alfonso Soriano for prospects, who we won't even know will do well? I understand bringing up Ryan Zimmerman, but he can be considered one of those once in a lifetime players.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Dotel close to joining Yankees — Reliever heading to Trenton to finish rehab assignment — PHILADELPHIA — Octavio Dotel walked into the Yankees' clubhouse on Monday at Citizens Bank Park, but the right-hander was not there to join his teammates in the bullpen.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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USA Today:
Beltre having hard time living up to lofty expectations — As the Dominican Republic advanced to the World Baseball Classic semifinals in March, one particularly potent batter stood out in a fearsome lineup that included Albert Pujols, David Ortiz and Miguel Tejada: — Third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: Baffled by the error of their ways — Angels unsure why defense has faltered; Erstad still hurting — SAN FRANCISCO — The Angels have gone from first to worst in more ways than one this season. — After winning the American League West for the past two years, the club currently is bringing up the rear in the division.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Baseball America:
Huge Incentive To Play Baseball — If Jeff Samardzija's career works out the way he and the Cubs hope, he will end up receiving one of the largest signing bonuses ever given to an amateur player. — Samardzija, a fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame, agreed in principle with the Cubs …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Friendship transcends diamond — White Sox owner, former manager remain close friends — CHICAGO — Somewhere in Chicago on Monday night, at a restaurant featuring good food and a place for good conversation, Jerry Reinsdorf and Tony La Russa will sit down for dinner.
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Left in the dark — There is a hilarious commercial playing on the radio these days. It is for Major League Baseball's online video-streaming service, and the announcer states with all the zeal of a snake-oil salesman: "Sign up for MLB.TV and never miss a game again!" — Bill Reed is the punch line.
Discussion:
Straight Flushing
Baltimore Sun:
Rotation shift irks R. Lopez … NEW YORK // An agitated Rodrigo Lopez declined to endorse the decision of Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo to push the right-hander's start back from tomorrow to Friday, saying yesterday that he's "not OK with it." — Perlozzo emphasized that he wasn't skipping Lopez.
