Top News:
Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
Yankees sign Sidney Ponson — The Yankees just announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Triple-A contract. Presumably, this means Ponson will report to Scranton, but it would seem likely that he'd get a shot in the Yankees' major-league rotation soon.
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 72: Padres at Yankees — (Check the updates for news, including draft updates.) — YANKEES (38-33) — Damon LF — Jeter SS — Abreu RF — Rodriguez 3B — Giambi DH — Posada C — Cano 2B — Betemit 1B — Cabrera CF — Rasner RHP
Discussion:
Pending Pinstripes, River Ave. Blues, Sliding Into Home, iYankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees sign Ponson to Minors deal — NEW YORK — The Yankees signed veteran right-hander Sidney Ponson to a Minor League contract on Wednesday, moving to add to their organizational starting depth. — Ponson, 31, will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Associated Press:
Depleted Yankees sign Rangers cast-off Ponson — NEW YORK — Adding depth to their injury-riddled pitching staff, the New York Yankees re-signed troubled right-hander Sidney Ponson to a minor league contract Wednesday. — With a history of off-the-field problems, Ponson was released Monday …
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Rays beat Cubs again, Zambrano injured — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—With every victory against contenders like the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays gain a little more confidence. — “It validates that we are a good team,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday night after the surprising Rays held off …
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Zambrano leaves game with shoulder discomfort — Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano left tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Rays because of “right shoulder discomfort,” the team said. The severity of his injury was not immediately known. — Zambrano, who entered the game with an 8-2 record and 2.98 ERA …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs call Murton back up, but only as trade bait?
Cubs call Murton back up, but only as trade bait?
Discussion:
TBO.com
MLB.com:
New York Yankees and Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment to open year-round Hard Rock Cafe in new Yankee Stadium — Yankee Global Enterprises to partner with Hard Rock to create NYY Steak — The New York Yankees announced today that they have agreed to enter into a long-term agreement …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
New Yankee Stadium to have Hard Rock Cafe — NEW YORK (AP) — A Hard Rock Cafe will open in the new Yankee Stadium. — The 7,000-square-foot restaurant will operate year-round in right field when the park makes its debut next season, the two organizations announced Wednesday.
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 …
RELATED:
William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
Randolph Says He Paid Price for Minaya's Closure — Omar Minaya faced the news media Tuesday afternoon for the first time since the Mets' bizarre midnight firing of Manager Willie Randolph and two of his coaches. — The real point of the news conference was for Minaya to take the Mets' ownership …
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
postGame: Mets 5 Angels 4 — The Mets (35-36) defeated the Angels (43-30) by the score of 5 to 4 in 10 innings tonight in Anaheim. — Congratulations Jerry Manuel, on your first win as manager of the Mets. — For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Discussion:
6-4-2
RELATED:
Larry Stone / The Seattle Times:
Mariners' pick for GM will reveal path — This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready ... Howard Lincoln's eyes were flashing fire on Monday. — This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready — indeed, aching — to try a new way.
RELATED:
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
The next GM — The most often-asked question I've had to deal …
The next GM — The most often-asked question I've had to deal …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / blogs.chron.com:
Toxic time for Astros, and that's bad — If you've spent a few minutes in the Astros' clubhouse these days, you'd feel bad for the boys. — “It's real bad in here,” a player told me as soon as I got into the clubhouse Tuesday to try to get an unbiased opinion to the comments I read …
Andrew Bagnato / Associated Press:
Haren Allows 1 run, Knocks in 3 to Lead Diamondbacks — PHOENIX — Dominating his former team, Dan Haren allowed one run and drove in three as the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Oakland Athletics 11-1 on Wednesday night. — Haren (7-4) limited the A's to four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out eight.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
J.D. Drew Worth The Money — When J.D. Drew signed his 5 year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox, they were destroyed by national media writers such as Bill Simmons who pushed the narrative that Drew was an unclutch loser who couldn't perform under pressure and wasn't any good even when he was healthy.
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.
RELATED: