Top News:
Yankees Blog:
Kennedy, Not Igawa, To Open Subway Series — Yankees' fans will not see Kei Igawa the sequel, at least not any time soon. — Ian Kennedy will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to pitch in the opening game of the Subway Series against the Mets on Friday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Pinstripes, Pa., Hardball, The Bronx Block, Yankee GM Blog and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Rainout Spoils Chance for Jeter to Bat Fourth
Rainout Spoils Chance for Jeter to Bat Fourth
Discussion:
IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
So long, Julian — The Red Sox today activated first baseman Sean Casey today from the disabled list. To make room for Casey, the team designated pitcher Julian Tavarez for assignment. The team now has 10 days to either work out a trade for Tavarez or grant him his outright release.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Careful steps protect bullpen — MINNEAPOLIS - Though there were two arrivals to the Red Sox clubhouse at the Metrodome yesterday in Alex Cora and Sean Casey, the team made just one roster move. — Cora was added to the roster, and was in the lineup at shortstop last night in place of the injured Julio Lugo (concussion).
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Tavarez designated for assignment — Julian Tavarez' tenure with the Red Sox [team stats] appears to have come to an end. — The Sox today designated the 16-year veteran for assignment, essentially writing the pitcher's ticket out of town. The Sox have 10 days to either trade Tavarez …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Garcia top hired gun for '08 stretch run — The best remaining pitcher on the free-agent market is not David Wells, it's Freddy Garcia. The righthander, who had surgery to repair his throwing shoulder on Aug. 30, will step on the mound Thursday and begin the final laps to a return that should occur sometime around the All-Star break.
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
Johan Santana, Sandy Alomar, Freddy Garcia and the fiery heap …
Johan Santana, Sandy Alomar, Freddy Garcia and the fiery heap …
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Sandberg suspended for three games — Chiefs manager serving for role in bench-clearing incident — CHICAGO — Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was suspended three games for his role in a bench-clearing incident last Thursday involving his Class A Peoria Chiefs team and Clinton manager Mike Micucci.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Wrigley return nothing special for Maddux — The drama was taken out of Greg Maddux's return to Wrigley Field this week when he won his 350th game late Saturday, becoming only the third pitcher since the 1920s to do it. — San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman handed Maddux the ball after saving a 3-2 victory over Colorado.
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Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Unhappy Stewart looking like odd Jay out — CLEVELAND — Shannon Stewart is experiencing a season only a mother could love. He tried calling her on Mother's Day from the visitors clubhouse, but no answer. It figures. His timing seems to be way off in everything.
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Manny Ramirez meets the ‘Gold’ standard in left — MINNEAPOLIS - Forget 500 home runs, Manny Ramirez [stats] has his eyes on another prize - a Gold Glove. — But, according to Ramirez, there's one problem. — “How am I going to win a Gold Glove if they take me out in the eighth (inning) …
Discussion:
The Bottom Line
Steve Henson / Yahoo! Sports:
Howard can't hit what he can't see — SAN FRANCISCO - The art of hitting is strangely like sleeping. Sometimes it comes naturally, almost effortlessly. Other times it is fitful, nearly impossible. A ballplayer can't will himself to hit any more than you or I can will ourselves to sleep.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers place Millwood on DL, call up rookie — egrant@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - A day after his start lasted just 12 pitches, Kevin Millwood was was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right groin. — Right-hander Doug Mathis' contract was purchased …
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
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Vegas Watch:
What Are The Odds: Chipper's Quest For .400 — It's May 11th, and Chipper Jones currently has a .400 batting average. This has inspired some discussion about whether Chipper can hit .400 for the entire season. Well, it's obviously a possibility, but how unlikely is it?
Discussion:
Deadspin
Associated Press:
Duke, Sanchez lead Pirates past Braves in DH opener — PITTSBURGH - Freddy Sanchez's three-run double in the fifth inning broke a scoreless tie, leading Zach Duke and the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates past the Atlanta Braves 5-0 today in the first game of a doubleheader.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Ten Pack — Peter Bourjos, CF, High-A Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) — A sixth-round pick in 2005 out of an Arizona high school, Bourjos showed plenty of promise in his full-season debut last year, but it was cut short by a finger injury. The Angels praise his tools …