Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Baseball Prospectus: Clemens' impact on AL East race — With a dramatic seventh-inning announcement, Roger Clemens made himself a returning hero, a difference-maker, and a whole big pile of cash. — Clemens, who was on his way into retirement the last time he was being cheered wildly …
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David Picker / New York Times:
Clemens Is Returning to the Yankees — The sun was shining, the Yankees were ahead during the seventh-inning stretch of their game against the Seattle Mariners and it seemed as if the day couldn't get any better. That's when the Yankees' public address announcer, Bob Sheppard …
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:Clemens back with Yankees — The Yankees have wanted Roger Clemens …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
ESPN:
MLB draft to be televised for first time on ESPN2 — The NFL and NBA drafts have been televised for years. Now, Major League Baseball is joining the trend. — For the first time in its history, the baseball entry draft will be aired live on ESPN2. Coverage will begin on Thursday …
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Baseball America:
Draft Will Be Televised — The baseball draft is finally joining the television age. — For the first time ever, Major League Baseball's draft will be on television, with ESPN2 televising the proceedings on June 7 from 2-6 p.m. — That means the draft will also get a physical location …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Zumaya to have surgery, miss 12 weeks — Tigers reliever ruptured tendon in right middle finger Saturday — Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger, forcing him out of action for 12 weeks. — The news came from the club following …
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Kurt / Mack Avenue Tigers:
The Zumaya Effect — Just as the Tigers were celebrating another comeback Saturday against the Royals, waiting for Joel Zumaya to make an entrance from the bullpen to hold the lead, it happened. A pop. Pain. Another pop. A call to the trainer. And just like that, the feared setup man was lost.
Associated Press:
Tigers RHP Zumaya out 12 weeks — DETROIT (AP) — Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya is expected to be out for 12 weeks because of a ruptured tendon in his middle right finger. — Zumaya, who regularly throws fastballs at over 100 mph, hurt himself while warming up Saturday night at Kansas City.
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Morning Ten Pack — Over the weekend, in need of an extra outfielder, the Cardinals called up minor league veteran Ryan Ludwick, who started in right field for them on Sunday. So Ankiel waits a little longer for what's looking more and more like a remarkable return to the big leagues.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — The Rocket's Fuel — Roger Clemens is a Yankee again, the highest paid player in baseball history on paper by my math. People are breaking this signing down in many ways, but for me, the question is only whether Clemens, one of the all-time greats, can stay healthy.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
Toasty Joe / Yes Joe, It's Toasted.:
Whacking Days — [Sung to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree," sung by the Springfield Children's Choir (click link to play)] … Yesterday's loss notwithstanding, the Mets by and large put the annual Phoenix smack-down on the snakes this weekend, and I love-love-loved it.
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
B.J. Upton: Enjoy It While You Can — B.J. Upton is off to a hot start, leading the American League in batting average (.371) while ranking third in SLG (.660) and OPS (1.084). Upton is also among the top ten in the league in OBP (.425), HR (6), RBI (22), and SB (5).
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Hafner, Carmona lead Indians by O's 10-1 — BALTIMORE (AP) — Travis Hafner hit a grand slam and Fausto Carmona allowed one unearned run in seven innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-1 Monday to earn a split of the four-game series.
Associated Press:
Salas suspended for 50 games after positive drug test — NEW YORK (AP) — Tampa Bay relief pitcher Juan Salas was suspended for 50 games Monday after becoming the first player this year to flunk a drug test under Major League Baseball's testing program. — Salas tested positive …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated
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Associated Press:
Yanks ship Igawa to minors, keep Rasner — NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees shipped struggling pitcher Kei Igawa to the minors on Monday to make room on the roster for right-hander Matt DeSalvo. — Igawa was optioned to Class-A Tampa, keeping right-hander Darrell Rasner in the big leagues …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Smith a man of ritual — Right-hander has extended process of uniform preparation — PHOENIX — The ritual began while Joe Smith was learning his craft at Wright State and regularly enduring a rather benign wardrobe malfunction. The bottom of the legs of his uniform pants would ride …
