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.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Soriano gains in All-Star voting — Slugger ranks third among NL outfielders in latest results — BOSTON — Nationals slugger Alfonso Soriano has gained significant ground in the All-Star voting for National League outfielders. — Last week, Soriano was in fourth place, passing Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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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
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 …
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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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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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Angels barely escape no-hitter — Figgins breaks up bid by Giants' Cain in eighth inning — SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain fairly defined the state of the Angels offense with his outing Monday night. — The Giants rookie had tossed 127 pitches, 7 2/3 innings' worth, and not one was put into play safely.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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.
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
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