Top News:
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
MLB, union meet over maple bats — Next step is gathering information about remedies — The recent explosion — literally — of maple bats has forced representatives from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to evaluate the threat of injury …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Plate ump Brian O'Nora hit in head by broken bat — KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Plate umpire Brian O'Nora was hit in the head by a shattered piece of Miguel Olivo's broken bat, forcing him out of Tuesday night's game between the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals.
Baltimore Sun:
MLB to begin testing of bats — Major League Baseball will start testing bats after a meeting yesterday of a player-management safety committee but made no decision on the contentious issue of banning maple models. — Along with conducting field and laboratory tests …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Maker of maple bats gives opinion — Sam Holman tells a safety committee that teams and players need to pay considerably more for maple bats, which are breaking at a high rate and flying onto the field and into the stands, to ensure that — The most prominent manufacturer of maple bats …
Discussion:
Sabernomics
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
It's Treanor's time behind the plate — Florida (40-36) vs. Tampa Bay (45-31), Wed., 7:10 p.m. ET — MIAMI — The starting catcher job seems to be all Matt Treanor's — at least for now. — Throughout the year, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has said Treanor and Mike Rabelo would probably …
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED:
Carlos Frías / Palm Beach Post:
Marlin' bullpen blows lead in eighth in loss to Rays — MIAMI GARDENS — These are the games that try managers' patience. — What if, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez might wonder, he had not pulled left-hander Scott Olsen after the seventh inning with just 86 pitches and the young pitcher cruising along …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Craig Barnes / Sun-Sentinel:
Willingham back after 50 games — MIAMI GARDENS - Marlins left-fielder Josh Willingham was back in the lineup and batting cleanup for the first time in 50 games on Tuesday, and he is convinced more attention to his back will improve his chances of staying off the disabled list.
Discussion:
FishStripes
George A. King III / New York Post:
PITT-IFUL YANKS HEAR IT FROM JOE — GIRARDI TO TEAM: WE STUNK — PITTSBURGH - After watching the Yankees waste multiple scoring chances, the Pirates spank his pitchers and the fielders not make plays, manager Joe Girardi told his players what he thought of last night's debacle.
RELATED:
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:Bucs beat Yanks for first time since '60
Discussion:
The Griddle, Where have you gone …, Bucs Dugout, YanksBlog.com, River Ave. Blues and NJ.com
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers to try out pitching experiment — Class A Brevard County looks to switch up starters' mindsets — ATLANTA — Brewers ace Ben Sheets believes the extinction of the Major League complete game can be traced to the Minors, where strict pitch counts protect prospects from injuries …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Sheets To Test Free Agency — By Tim Dierkes [June 24 at 10:16pm CST] — Brewers ace Ben Sheets is in the midst of a monster contract year, and he's planning on testing the open market after the season. The Brewers might've had a chance to sign him to an extension, but GM Doug Melvin decided to pass.
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Mariners defeat frustrated Mets 11-0 — NEW YORK (AP)—Jerry Manuel's first week as New York Mets manager mirrored the tenure of predecessor Willie Randolph—up and down, with some encouraging performances and a few letdowns. — And Manuel already seems frustrated by the Mets' erratic play.
Discussion:
Mets Geek, Walkoff Walk, The Musings and Prophecies …, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MetsBlog.com and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Dunn denies phone call with Ricciardi — Outfielder says he never reached out to talk with Jays' GM — TORONTO — Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said his feud with Reds left fielder Adam Dunn was finally settled via a phone call between the two over the weekend. — Not so, says Dunn.
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Home streak over — Cubs try to rally in the ninth inning but leave the bases loaded — The best deal the Cubs never made? Don't tell that to Brian Roberts or the Cubs after a monthlong home winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Cub Who Might Have Been and his Baltimore buddies.
