Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Agent: Suspended Aybar has substance issue — 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 Thursday. — The agent, Luis Valdez …
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Gonzalez set to return — Lefty reliever could pitch this weekend against Mets — ATLANTA — When it was learned Wednesday night that Mike Gonzalez was going to have his left elbow evaluated via an MRI, the Braves management team wasn't among the many who reacted with panic.
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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Bob Sherwin / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen holds grudge — Outfielder still not happy with how he was treated by Angels — SEATTLE — Jose Guillen won't forgive or forget. That's just the way he wants it. — Guillen, in his first season as the Seattle Mariners' right fielder, is returning to Anaheim this weekend …
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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 …
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.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Hendrickson lends serious help — Southpaw shuts down Rockies in stellar spot start — DENVER — When Jason Schmidt couldn't get outs this month, the problem turned out to be his shoulder. When Mark Hendrickson couldn't get outs last year, the problem was a little higher.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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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.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Cabrera exits game with injury — Problem with right obligue ends slugger's day early — MIAMI — Three-time All-Star Miguel Cabrera was lifted after the second inning on Thursday with a right oblique problem, and the slugger's status is day-to-day. — Manager Fredi Gonzalez …
MLB.com:
D-backs' Sedona Red merchandise popular among valley baseball fans — PHOENIX — Sales of the Arizona Diamondbacks new Sedona Red merchandise at the Team Shops at Chase Field and at sports apparel stores throughout the Phoenix-area are up substantially compared to this time last year.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
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
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 …
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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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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