Top News:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Players mostly relieved it's over — ANAHEIM, Calif. - Some expressed sympathy, others surprise. But overall, what the Mets felt the most after learning about the fate of Willie Randolph and two of his fired coaches late Monday night was a sense of relief.
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
REYES HURT AS MANUEL LOSES DEBUT — ANAHEIM — Jerry Manuel's debut started ominously last night and got worse from there. — Manuel and the Mets lost Jose Reyes to a tight left hamstring just four pitches into the game, then watched ace Johan Santana look mortal in a 6-1 interleague loss to the Angels.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs call Murton back up, but only as trade bait? — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and sent Eric Patterson back down, though they may just be showcasing Murton for a possible deal. — “We hated to send Patterson out, we really did,” manager Lou Piniella said.
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Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Sox matinee today — Today is a day to soak in the Celtics win, but the Red Sox have some unfinished business in Philadelphia this afternoon as they try to take the rubber game of a three-game set with the Phillies. — The Sox will send rookie Justin Masterson (3-1, 2.90 ERA) to the mound in 1:05 p.m. start.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Games of the Day — The Red Sox and Phillies play the rubber game of their series this afternoon as Justin Masterson faces Kyle Kendrick. The Phillies have done a good job of holding Boston's offense in check, allowing just five runs in two games. Kendrick, with few strikeouts and walks, allows a lot of balls in play.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Kirby Arnold / Herald:
M's meet to discuss Sexson's future — A source within the organization says team is planning to release the first baseman soon. — SEATTLE — Struggling first baseman Richie Sexson's time with the Seattle Mariners could end soon. — One day after general manager Bill Bavasi was fired …
Geoff Young / Ducksnorts:
Chatting with Sandy Alderson (Part 3) — This is the third of a three-part interview (Part 1 is here; Part 2 is here) with San Diego Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. Big thanks to Mr. Alderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to make himself available, and also to his assistant …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Soriano hopes to return for All-Star Game — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alfonso Soriano said Tuesday he's hoping to make it back from his broken hand in time to play in the All-Star Game on July 15 game at Yankee Stadium, where he began his major-league career.
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Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:Hurdle likely will find All-Star sub for Randolph
Discussion:
New York Times, New York Post, JSOnline, Sliding Into Home, It's Mets For Me and The Baseball Zealot
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Johnson to make Class A rehab start — Right-hander advancing in recovery from Tommy John surgery — SEATTLE — Encouraged by a couple of Gulf Coast League starts, the Marlins are advancing Josh Johnson to pitching in games for Class A Jupiter in the Florida State League.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Dallas Morning News:
Deciding Bradley's fate is enough to give Texas Rangers a headache — You know you thought this when the Rangers signed Milton Bradley last winter: “Oh, now this is going to cause some headaches.” — You were right, too. — And it has nothing to do with Bradley's much-ballyhooed desire …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter gets upbeat news — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter returned from his trip to Alabama for a second opinion on his right elbow with reassuring news that he shouldn't hesitate to restart his rehab. — “All of my tests were fine; my ligament and my reconstruction looks good,” …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Reuniting Zito with old coach makes sense — (06-17) 20:09 PDT — Rick Peterson was Barry Zito's pitching coach through the pitcher's best years in Oakland. Now that Peterson is unemployed, would it not make sense for the Giants to hire him as a special instructor to work with Zito and help right him?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers' Blalock waits his turn — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - Hank Blalock will have to stay patient a little longer. The newest Rangers first baseman won't play this weekend in Washington as previously planned. The target date for his return is now Tuesday in Houston.
Associated Press:
Renteria gets 2,000, Thames homers again — SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Marcus Thames has been hitting home runs at a rate that not even Barry Bonds could match. — Thames homered in his fifth straight game and Kenny Rogers pitched seven strong innings to help the Detroit Tigers beat the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Tuesday night.
