Top News:
Brian Hamilton / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs lose to Astros in lightning-shortened game — The clock on top of the venerable Wrigley Field scoreboard read 8:06 p.m. Monday when tornado sirens began to wail in the darkness. Action between the Cubs and Astros had been suspended already for nearly a half-hour.
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Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Elvis slides on Wrigley Field tarp plus scary ‘tornado’ footage — Liability, schmiability: I say that if a sudsed-up Elvis impersonator wants to entertain the crowd during a lengthy rain delay by sliding on the tarp, you should let him, insurance concerns be damned.
Rick Chandler / Deadspin:
Slip 'N Slide With The King — How can you have a giant, water-soaked tarp on the field during a rain delay at Wrigley and NOT expect a guy dressed as '70s Elvis to come running out to slide across it? It's just common sense. Have a good time filling out the paperwork on this one, security guy (video following the jump).
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs sign Haren through 2012 — The Diamondbacks and right-hander Dan Haren have agreed to a $44.75 million contract extension that runs through 2012 and includes a club option for 2013, a deal that will be announced today at a 3 p.m. news conference at Chase Field.
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Tyler Bassett / KTAR.com:
Diamondbacks sign Dan Haren to extension — The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed pitcher Dan Haren to a two-year extension with a club option for a third season that could keep the right-hander in a Diamondbacks uniform through 2013, reports Sports 620 KTAR's John Gambadoro.
Discussion:
Out in the Desert
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Dealing with Delays — I can't say enough good things about participating in Newberg Night, and I can't say enough bad things about flying on United, so let's start with the positives. Joe Sheehan and I were lucky enough to be the Opening Act for Jon Daniels' ninety-minute Q …
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Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:Prospectus Today — Jeter vs. Reyes — I got a great question …
Discussion:
Mets Minor League Blog
Howard Megdal / New York Observer:
Joba Chamberlain Versus History — When Joba Chamberlain left Monday night's game against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning with stiff right shoulder, more than just the state of New York's rotation was at stake. — Chamberlain has charted a course through twelve starts that rates better …
Discussion:
YFSF
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
David Ortiz feels ‘click’ in bad wrist — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - If the departure of Manny Ramirez [stats] didn't have him worried enough, David Ortiz [stats] sufficiently tweaked his ailing left wrist in the ninth inning of last night's 4-3 loss …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, The Heater, SOX1FAN, Projo Sox Blog, The Bottom Line, The Joy of Sox and Fenway West
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Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Schilling reveals past run-in with Manny — Curt Schilling today revealed details of a physical confrontation he had with Manny Ramirez in 2005. — In an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI this morning, Schilling described the incident, in which he and Ramirez “had to be broken up” …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs activate closer Wood — Club says pitcher will return in middle relief role for now — CHICAGO — Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, but Lou Piniella maintained that the right-hander will be used in middle relief rather than immediately resume his role as the closer.
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MLB Rumors
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MLB.com:
Mariners recall OF Wladimir Balentien from Triple-A Tacoma — Mariners DH Jose Vidro designated for assignment — SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Lee Pelekoudas announced today that the Mariners have designated Jose Vidro for assignment.
Associated Press:
Fielder sorry for pushing Parra in Brewers' dugout — Fielder, Parra Scuffle In Dugout As Brewers Fall To Reds — CINCINNATI — Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder apologized Tuesday for pushing a teammate in the dugout during a loss, saying he should have done a better job …
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Associated Press
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Jim Caple / ESPN:
The most overrated position in sports — When Jerome Holtzman, a legendary baseball writer and a good man, died two weeks ago, I hoped some closer would celebrate a save by pumping his fist, falling to his knees, pointing to the sky and shouting, “This one is for you, Jerome!”
Discussion:
YFSF
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Jonah Keri / ESPN:K-Rod would be latest in long line of oddball MVP choices
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BBTF's Baseball Primer …
ESPN.com:
Strained forearm lands Mets closer Wagner on DL — NEW YORK — Billy Wagner has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm, leaving the New York Mets without their All-Star closer as they chase a playoff spot. — It's a major blow to the Mets, even though Wagner has blown seven of 34 save chances.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
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Associated Press:
Olivo, Greinke, Guillen and Hillman suspended — NEW YORK—Kansas City catcher Miguel Olivo and pitcher Zack Greinke have been suspended five games each for causing trouble in a weekend game with the Chicago White Sox. — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended two games …
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's put Jones on DL with fractured foot — Center fielder expected to miss four to six weeks; Montanez called up from Bowie — The Orioles have placed center fielder Adam Jones on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 3, with a fractured left foot.
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
AMAZIN'S IN RUNNING FOR GARCIA — Beset by pitching injuries, the Mets are expected to be in the running for veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia if the two-time All-Star holds up well this afternoon in an open workout in Miami. — Several teams are scheduled to scout the workout at the University of Miami …
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, MLB Rumors, New Jersey Online, MetsBlog.com and 24 Hours From Suicide
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Some Yankees Scouts Under Investigation — Several Yankees employees who scouted in the Dominican Republic have been placed on leave by the organization pending an investigation by Major League Baseball into the signing of prospects, according to a person in baseball who has been briefed on the matter.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Waiver Trade Candidates: National League — By Tim Dierkes [August 5 at 11:35am CST] — Yesterday, we wrote about waiver trade candidates for the American League. Despite the post title, I tried to be more comprehensive and list all of the players who I think might clear waivers.
Discussion:
Beerleaguer
