Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets lose Martinez for playoffs due to torn leg tendon — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — ATLANTA — Pedro Martinez is out for the postseason after an exam Thursday showed the New York Mets ace has a torn tendon in his left calf muscle. — The Mets, who won their first NL East title since 1988 …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets may be second-guessing Zito decision — Sorry, the Mets shouldn't be shocked that right-hander Pedro Martinez is out for the postseason. If anything, they should be grateful that the fragile Martinez is their only rotation casualty. — Left-hander Tom Glavine is 40. Right-hander Steve Trachsel is 35.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Pedro finished for season — Ace out with left-calf tear; El Duque, Glavine to head rotation — ATLANTA — The Mets' pitching plans for the postseason, amended after Pedro Martinez's conspicuously flawed performance on Wednesday night, now have definition, at least for the first two games of the National League Division Series.
Discussion:
SportsWorldNY
Bob Herzog / Newsday:Pedro out for playoffs, El Duque gets Game 1 nod
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins won't promote rookies — MIAMI GARDENS — Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla might be leading candidates for the National League Rookie of the Year award, but the Marlins don't plan to campaign on their behalf like the San Francisco Giants are doing with right-hander Matt Cain.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Treanor ejected in loss — Matt Treanor was tossed in the first inning and the Marlins went on to assure themselves of their first losing season since 2002. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — He contends he didn't swear, and he swears he didn't turn around to eyeball home plate umpire Larry Young …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Sun-Sentinel:
Latest loss assures Marlins finish below .500 — MIAMI GARDENS — Their playoff bid busted earlier this week, the Marlins embraced the role of spoiler. Turns out they may have been miscast. — Still vying for a National League Central title, the Reds beat the Marlins 5-1 Thursday …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Lackey, K-Rod team up to shut down A's — Starter nabs 13th win while closer ties Angels' saves mark — ANAHEIM — The class of '02 got together for a bit of a pitching clinic Thursday night. — John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez, who both came up with the Angels during the 2002 season …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Robinson won't return to Nationals — Washington not expected to renew manager's contract — WASHINGTON — Nationals president Stan Kasten and general manager Jim Bowden met separately with Frank Robinson on Thursday afternoon to discuss the manager's future.
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
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Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:Robinson 'at ease' after meeting with GM
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Twins' Owner Sounding More Like Steinbrenner — Carl Pohlad, the 91-year-old billionaire owner of the Minnesota Twins, is not an obvious candidate to engage in trash talking. But Pohlad was apparently feeling feisty about Minnesota's chances in the postseason when he challenged the Yankees.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Gagne Wishes He Could Help — DENVER — He cheers for his team. He diligently performs his rehabilitation exercises. But with the Dodgers short of reliable arms in the bullpen, the highest-paid pitcher on the team is not available for the playoff push. — And that is what frustrates …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Loney contributes in Nomar's stead — Rookie ties single-game franchise record with nine RBIs — DENVER — The Dodgers held a team meeting earlier this week to vote on who gets how much in postseason shares, and no, they aren't awarding a slice to the Rockies for cooperating above and beyond the call of duty.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Saito's record ball goes to Lowe — Both pitchers net milestone numbers in Wednesday's victory — DENVER — Closer Takashi Saito broke Yhency Brazoban's one-year-old franchise rookie record with his 22nd save when he struck out the Rockies' Jeff Salazar on Wednesday night.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker may enjoy the last laugh — Manager could have options, including Nationals, Giants — The managerial merry-go-round hasn't begun running, but reports that Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson is on his way out could be good news for Dusty Baker and bad news for Jim Hendry.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Waiting game begins for Showalter — Showalter's job may be on line with Rangers officials slated to meet — SEATTLE - Rangers owner Tom Hicks said in late August his feelings about the club's future could depend on its 2006 finish. A sub-.500 final month may determine his mood heading …
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Wood can't throw away 'obligation' — Rehabbing pitcher feels he owes Cubs 'what they paid for' — Saying he has ''something to prove,'' Kerry Wood said Wednesday he wants to return to the Cubs next season to fulfill ''an obligation'' as the pitcher he was projected to be.
