Top News:
Mike Rose / On the Mets beat:
Willie apologizes (updated with his opening remarks) — In a surprising development, Willie Randolph delivered a public apology during his pregame session with reporters a few minutes ago. Randolph read from a sheet of paper with handwritten notes and said he was sorry …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Willis headed to Tigers' bullpen — Left-hander activated from DL, available Wednesday — DETROIT — Dontrelle Willis is rejoining the Tigers, but he's doing so in the bullpen. — The Tigers activated the left-hander from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but manager Jim Leyland announced …
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Sports Illustrated:
Tigers will put Willis in 'pen on return — Dontrelle Willis has been told by Tigers people that they plan to put him in the bullpen when he returns from the disabled list. — Willis is said to be “probably not too happy about it,” according to a friend.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Pedro leaves Mets to be with ill father — Pitcher was to throw bullpen session on Wednesday — ATLANTA — Pedro Martinez's return to pitching in the big leagues has been delayed by a medical episode involving his father. — The Mets pitcher, close to ending his assignment on the disabled list …
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Mets Blog
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pedro's test Wednesday — ATLANTA - Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday at Turner Field, and Willie Randolph echoed Martinez's belief that the righthander should pitch during next week's home stand. — It was after rotator cuff surgery that Martinez joined …
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New York Post, NJ.com, New Jersey Online, The Transaction Guy, MLB Rumors, Associated Press and Shea Nation
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:Pedro returns to DR — The Mets have scratched today's bullpen session …
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FanHouse
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Eveland, Cust lead A's past Rays 9-1 — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—From about the time he started driving, Dana Eveland began hearing the comparisons to David Wells. — “If you're a chubby lefty it always gets you the comparison,” said Eveland, whose back is covered in an “EVELAND” tattoo.
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Games of the Day — The Tampa Bay Rays go for a sweep of the Oakland Athletics as Andy Sonnanstine faces Dana Eveland this afternoon. Sonnanstine is undefeated away from the Trop, allowing just two home runs and three walks in twenty eight innings. Eveland is undefeated at home, posting a 0.92 ERA in Oakland.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Jeter hit by pitch on hand, day-to-day — Despite contusion, Yanks captain hopes to play Wednesday — NEW YORK — The thud of baseball hitting bone may have been something awful, but — no surprise here — Derek Jeter said he will be all right. — The Yankees shortstop was hit …
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Mike Rose / On the Mets beat:
Church feeling OK — Good news on Ryan Church, who just spoke to reporters and said he intends to play either tomorrow or Friday. Church had a CT scan after Tuesday's game and it came back clear, meaning that the blow to the head did not cause severe damage.
Discussion:
Mets Blog
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Steinbrenner: Yanks down but not out — Co-chairman unhappy with play but optimistic for turnaround — NEW YORK — Hank Steinbrenner said Wednesday that he is “very down” about his team's 20-25 start, but the Yankees' co-chairman remains confident that he is still presiding over a playoff-caliber club.
Discussion:
Bombers Beat
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Nice encore by Masterson — Red Sox rookie Justin Masterson answered reporters' questions after pitching the Red Sox to victory Monday night. — The drama last night in the Fens came in smaller bites. Instead of nine innings of no hits, there was one bases-loaded whiff …
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Ross / Yankee Stadium Insider Blog:
“Terry Crowley is lucky he's in f*cking baseball” makes it on the air on YES — UPDATE (9:34 PM): Minor correction. This is still bad for YES, but it was not a producer, or anyone on the YES crew, apparently. It was Earl Weaver in the famous manager's corner clip as an anonymous commenter pointed out.
Discussion:
matsuifan.com
Anthony Witrado / Brewers Blog:
Gagne flying back to Milwaukee — Pittsburgh - Until further notice, Milwaukee Brewers closer Eric Gagne has been shut down. — Although that further notice could be as soon as today or as late as this weekend or maybe next week depending on how Gagne's stiff right shoulder feels today …
Discussion:
Roto Professor
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
‘Z’ stiff shoulder raises alert — CUBS IN BRIEF — HOUSTON — The Cubs' medical staff is keeping a close eye this week on pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who has had stiffness in the right shoulder/neck area since his start Saturday against the Pirates. — It's not considered serious …
Discussion:
Hardball
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Revolving Yankee Hurts — Alex Rodriguez (0 DXL) — A couple of weeks back, I got an angry email saying that, while I was assigning A-Rod a DXL of 15, other sources were saying he was out until the All-Star break. I was a bit surprised that a simple, well-known injury to the best-known player …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates' drafting eye on Alvarez, Beckham — List of prospects for No. 2 pick down to just five — The Pirates' list of prospects for the No. 2 overall pick in the June 5 draft, which was seven deep a week ago, now is down to a handful. — Maybe less.
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Jones' role with Marlins unclear — Manager Gonzalez says outfielder will play, but not sure where — MIAMI — Nobody knows yet how newly acquired outfielder Jacque Jones will fit in with the Marlins. — But one thing's for sure. — “As long as he's got a uniform, he's playing,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
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FishStripes
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