Top News:
Associated Press:
NY Mets 11, Florida 3 — MIAMI (AP) — Even the backup catcher is swinging a big bat this week for the New York Mets. — Ramon Castro homered and drove in three runs Thursday to help fuel the Mets' latest offensive outburst, and they drubbed the Florida Marlins for the second night in a row, 11-3.
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John Delcos / The Journal News:
Mets will play it safe with Heilman — MIAMI - The Mets say they will walk a fine line of being cautious with Aaron Heilman's surgically repaired right elbow, but not overly protective. — Heilman underwent surgery last winter and was shut down a week in spring training with a mild case of tendinitis.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Agent: Aybar dealing with 'drinking and drugs' — Suspended Braves infielder Willy Aybar is in Boston, struggling with substance abuse and trying to get his life and baseball career back in order, his agent told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. — The agent, Luis Valdez …
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Jon Naito / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Felix injured early — Hernandez struggles, leaves in first with tightness in elbow — He is the boy who would be king. Felix Hernandez has been anointed and nothing in his early season oeuvre would seem to dispute that. — A little over a week after he turned 21 …
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Associated Press:
Hernandez to miss at least 2 starts — SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez will likely miss two to three starts with a muscle strain inside his right elbow and forearm. — Mariners medical director Dr. Ed Khalfayan said Thursday that the 21-year-old right-hander will not throw for five days, then will play catch.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Wakefield, power overwhelm Jays — Knuckler's flutterer flummoxes Toronto; Sox hit three homers — TORONTO — Overshadowed by Curt Schilling's intensity, Josh Beckett's electric stuff and Daisuke Matsuzaka's hype, Tim Wakefield has little interest in getting attention anyway.
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Quick Work Left In Wake
Quick Work Left In Wake
Discussion:
projo.com Rhode Island news, The Joy of Sox, Peter's Red Sox Forever and A Red Sox Fan …
Craig Barnes / Sun-Sentinel:
Owens set to close as bullpen reshuffles — · Struggling reliever Jorge Julio was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, and right-hander Henry Owens, the Barry graduate, will get a chance at the closer's role. — Julio strained his right calf against Houston on Tuesday.
Discussion:
The Mets Are Better Than Sex
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Forbes Releases '07 MLB Franchise Valuations — Forbes Magazine has just released its annual valuation rankings for all 30 of the MLB clubs (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/33/ 07mlb_The-Business-Of-Baseball_ Rank.html) today, with the Yankees chiming in at a cool $1.2 billion.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
David S. Glasier / zwire.com:
Hernandez still loves New York City — NEW YORK — Indians relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez always feels tugs at the heartstrings when his baseball travels bring him to New York City. — Although he was born in Puerto Rico, the 42-year-old Hernandez grew up in Manhattan.
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Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week — Every act of terror and murder, such as this week's tragedy at Virginia Tech, is always a kick in the gut. No matter how many desperate and depraved acts we have seen on TV or the Internet, each one feels like something terribly new …
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Howard might need MRI on sore leg — First baseman pulls up lame running bases, but stays in game — WASHINGTON — The postgame limp paled in comparison to the pained look on Ryan Howard's face as the injured first baseman tried to block out the agony. — Howard stood, then dragged …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Go 13 Innings, Win on Lopez's Fly Ball — If there is a game going late, and the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals are on the schedule, chances are they are the teams left on the field, long after the children are in bed, the stands have emptied, the local news has started.
Discussion:
The Feed, Nats Triple Play, Blogging Baseball, Capitol Punishment, Distinguished Senators, Fox Sports and philly.com
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Capellan takes unauthorized leave — Reliever missed two Sounds games — Reliever Jose Capellan took his unhappiness with the Milwaukee Brewers to a level deemed unacceptable by going AWOL at Class AAA Nashville for two games. — General manager Doug Melvin announced Wednesday that Capellan …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors