Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks back from break with a bang — Cano, Rodriguez go deep behind solid Mussina — NEW YORK — Mike Mussina's time off brought a down-home dose of fun at a county fair, and he wasn't necessarily counting the minutes to return, yet the Yankees made him feel comfortable back at the office.
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iYankees
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees reportedly sign Sexson
Yankees reportedly sign Sexson
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iYankees, Baseball Musings, Bombers Beat, TheNoonerBlog.com, Hot Stove New York and Rain Delay
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers probably looking at Street — San Francisco - Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told me earlier today that he wouldn't pay $2 million for “a tweak” in his bullpen. — What about paying to acquire Oakland closer Huston Street? I just learned that Melvin's top special assistant …
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Trade talk on Wolf, Maddux cools — General manager Towers open to offers for pitchers — ST. LOUIS — While trading veteran first baseman Tony Clark back to Arizona proved to be reasonably easy for the Padres, finding a suitor for pitcher Randy Wolf might not be as easy.
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MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Rays Try to Leave Losing Skid in First Half — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays convened for the second half of the season Thursday, confident the seven-game losing streak they took into the All-Star break is not a sign they are fading. — Manager Joe Maddon reiterated …
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Baseball Musings
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Reds snap Mets' 10-game winning streak — CINCINNATI (AP)—A whole lot of little things ended the New York Mets' winning streak. — Bronson Arroyo extended his latest surge by pitching eight innings Friday night, and the Cincinnati Reds used a minimal rally to beat the Mets 5-2, ending their 10-game winning streak.
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Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Lobel: Manny fined — and wasn't happy about it — Editor's note: The Globe's Gordon Edes reported Friday afternoon that, according to industry sources, Ramirez's fine was in the $10,000-$15,000 range, not in the hundreds of thousands. — According to former WBZ sports director Bob Lobel …
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Injury update: Team doc says surgery for Pagan — Team doctor David Altchek has recommended surgery for Angel Pagan to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Pagan will seek a second opinion in Los Angeles from Lewis Yocum. — The expectation is that if he undergoes surgery by Sept. 1, he'd be ready for spring training.
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — Draft Signings Unannounced — As we move into the final month of the signing window, once again we have a number of deals that seem to be done, but nevertheless seem to be getting held back by Major League Baseball. While a number of over-slot bonuses have already …
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TEXAS RANGERS
Jeffrey Flanagan / Over the Top:
Whose idea was “The Mexicutioner?” — You've seen Joakim Soria's new nickname, “The Mexicutioner,” in Royals game stories, heard it on radio, and lately it has been spotted on increasingly popular T-shirts. — Bob Dutton, Royals beat writer for The Star, says the nickname didn't start with him.
Associated Press:
Bedard out another 2-4 wks. with bad shoulder … SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners have made talk of Erik Bedard and the trading deadline simple. — It's “irrelevant.” — Seattle manager Jim Riggleman said Friday the tightness in Bedard's left shoulder did not improve over the All-Star break …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Scott powers O's past Tigers — Orioles LF homers twice, drives in three runs — Luke Scott homered twice, and the Orioles also got home runs from Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff in a 7-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. — Scott hit a solo shot in the second inning off Armando Galarraga …
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
McCann's 3-run double helps Braves win — ATLANTA (AP)—Brian McCann's three-run double gave Atlanta the lead in the third inning, and the Braves survived the Washington National's ninth-inning rally to win 7-6 on Friday night. — The Nationals left the tying run on third base in the ninth.
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Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Liriano's agent wants union investigation of Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — The agent for Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano is asking the players' union to investigate why the Twins have yet to call him up from Triple-A Rochester. — Greg Genske says his client is frustrated because he has pitched …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins left-hander Andrew Miller sidelined by knee tendinitis — MIAMI GARDENS — The Marlins overcame injuries to go into the All-Star break just 112 games out of first place in the National League East. But if they hope to reach the playoffs, they'll have to overcome more injuries.
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Bottom9 Baseball
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