Top News:
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).
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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.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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 …
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
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.
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.
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
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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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
If Igawa nixed, rain helps rotation — DETROIT - Rain washed away the Yankees' Mother's Day series finale against the Tigers, but Mother Nature may have delivered a welcome gift for the Bombers. — The rainout gives the Yankees a couple of more days to figure out what to do with Kei Igawa …
Discussion:
iYankees
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins Notebook: Olsen's velocity OK — WASHINGTON — Marlins left-hander Scott Olsen said he can't remember ever pitching in a game where his velocity didn't top 90 mph. It didn't top 87 mph on Sunday. — Neither Olsen nor the Marlins sounded worried.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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
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.
Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
BREAKING NEWS: Delgado's agent is insane — From time to time, I get e-mail responses to things I write. Mostly, they're negative — people who disagree with me, hate me or get a kick out of calling me lewd names. Lots of times they begin with “I usually agree with you, but...” …
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Mariner exec Shaffer taking a look at Griffey — There may be more to the Mariners interest in Ken Griffey Jr. than Seattle management has been willing to let on — Reports out of New York say that Duane Shaffer, in his first season as a special assistant to Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi …