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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Wild comeback comes up short  —  O's plate four in ninth vs. K-Rod, but Sherrill can't force extras  —  ANAHEIM — Sometimes you get the save, and sometimes the save gets you.  —  Both the Orioles and Angels played for a special arrangement for their closer Monday night, only to see them both backfire in a 6-5 win for Los Angeles.

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!”

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” …

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 …

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.

Playoffs are slip slidin' away  —  If, as usual, it will take at least 90 wins to reach the playoffs, the Tigers must go at least 35-16 the rest of the way to make the postseason.  That's an almost inconceivable .686 pace, one that would result in 111 wins if maintained over a full season.

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.

Is it a big deal?  —  Cincinnati - So, manager Ned Yost says the fight earlier tonight between Prince Fielder and Manny Parra in the dugout was no big deal.  What do you think?  —  If what I heard was correct, Parra was getting ready to go to the clubhouse after being removed …