Top News:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Smoltz may be facing shoulder surgery — Braves expected to discuss veteran's future at news conference — ATLANTA — John Smoltz has said that he'll be content if he never throws another pitch. Now, just two days after he attempted to alleviate stress on his shoulder with a move to the bullpen …
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ESPN:
Smoltz to have season-ending shoulder surgery — Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, who spent five weeks on the disabled list with an inflamed rotator cuff, will have season-ending shoulder surgery. — The report first appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Smoltz to have season-ending shoulder surgery — Surgery could put career of 41-year-old in jeopardy — John Smoltz will have season-ending shoulder surgery that could also put the career of the 41-year-old Braves pitcher in doubt. — The Braves have called a media conference at 11:30 …
Justin Terranova / New York Post:
ON DECK: BLUE JAYS AT YANKEES — Joba Chamberlain officially became a starter last night. The question for the Yankees now becomes, can Kyle Farnsworth or anyone else step up and be successful in the vacated eighth-inning role? — Farnsworth likely will be the choice again tonight …
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Associated Press:
Posada activated, available off bench vs. Jays — NEW YORK — Jorge Posada was activated from the disabled list Wednesday by the New York Yankees and was available off the bench against Toronto. — The All-Star catcher wasn't in the starting lineup because he caught the previous two days …
John Manuel / Baseball America Draft Blog:
Draft Eve News & Rumors — Jim Callis is still making his list and checking it twice for his final mock draft prior to the beginning Thursday of the 2008 Draft. We still are pinching ourselves at BA World Headquarters that the draft is on TV and happy to be part of ESPN's show. …
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Legends to make history in Bronx — More than 40 Hall of Famers to be honored at All-Star Game — NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium is not done creating history. Not quite yet. — The largest group of Hall of Famers at a Major League event in history will gather before this summer's All-Star …
MLB.com:
White Sox sign pitcher Esteban Loaiza to one-year contract and option Ehren Wassermann to Triple-A Charlotte — Dewayne Wise accepts outright assignment to Charlotte — CHICAGO — Prior to tonight's game vs. Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza …
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Posada will need surgery after season — Jorge Posada is on the Yankees active roster tonight, but not in the lineup; he is scheduled to catch tomorrow. — And he said today he will need surgery after the season to repair his labrum. — “There's no discomfort,” said Posada …
Terry Pluto / WaitingForNextYear:
Exclusive: WFNY Sits Down With Terry Pluto — It isn't every day that a blogger gets to talk with a member of the mainstream media. I'd like to think that the odds are even slimmer if said member has been twice honored with the award of Nation's Top Sports Columnist; not to mention …
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Former Royal Willie Mays Aikens to be released from prison today — Former Royals standout Willie Mays Aikens is scheduled to be released from federal prison today, and he could be at a Kansas City halfway house as early as this evening. — “I'm thrilled to death,” Aikens told The State of Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday.
Dak / FIRE JOE MORGAN:
An Open Letter To Theo Epstein: Version 1 — So, it's not going to happen, but with the Red Sox short one monster hitter for an indefinite amount of time (Papi), the name Barry Bonds has come up as a possible replacement. It's not even a legitimate rumor (jumbo shrimp / military intelligence …
Discussion:
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Eric Wilbur / Boston Globe:A Barry big debate
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Schilling throws off mound; Sox lineup — Curt Schilling threw 25 pitches off the mound for the first time. According to Sox manager Terry Francona, Schilling said he was annoyed that he only threw 22 for strikes. Schilling will gradually increase his pitches and intensity over time.
Jesse Baumgartner / MLB.com:
Silva looks to get Mariners started — Seattle (21-38) vs. Los Angeles (36-24), Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. PT — SEATTLE — While the Mariners would like nothing more than to claim a division title this season, given their current predicament in the standings, manager John McLaren pointed to more immediate aims.
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Associated Press:
Injured Pujols, Ankiel out vs. Nationals — WASHINGTON (AP)—St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and outfielder Rick Ankiel were out of the starting lineup Wednesday night against Washington because of injuries. — Pujols, who left Tuesday night's game with tightness in his left calf, was unavailable.
