Top News:
Associated Press:
Pedro's season-best 7 innings lift Mets — PITTSBURGH (AP)—On a day when he got bad news about his closer and watched his bullpen struggle again, New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel preferred to talk about something positive. — “Pedro was outstanding tonight,” he said.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets won't have Wagner back Monday — Closer doesn't respond well to simulated game conditions — PITTSBURGH — The Mets' problems with the bullpen will persist into next week. Their expectation of having Billy Wagner return to active duty Monday will not come to fruition because he still feels tightness in his left arm.
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Glavine: ligament surgery would signal end to career — Braves? pitcher indicates desire to pitch, but not endure long rehab — While Tom Glavine's future in baseball is up in the air, this much seemed clear to him Saturday: His season is over and he's likely headed for surgery.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Batting practice doesn't tax Zambrano — Rothschild says no link to pitching struggles — MIAMI - Carlos Zambrano spends so much time working on his hitting that some wonder if it has had a negative effect on his pitching. — But Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild believes that theory …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Ryan the Soothsayer Sees Great Things for the Cubs — ATLANTA — Ryan Dempster cradled the card deck as deftly and lovingly as he does baseballs. He took the ace of spades from the top, shuffled it into seeming oblivion and removed a two of clubs off the top as proof.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter (TCR)
New York Post:
ANOTHER DEREKTION — JETER MAY NOT BE YANKEE LIFER AFTER ALL — THE divorce rate in sports is getting higher and uglier, and we are not talking Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia. — Happily ever after has become tougher to find. In the last year, Joe Torre, Shaquille O'Neal …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
We're talking pivotal figures — Contenders will be counting on these 10 — The 10 key players for the stretch run, and a comment from a top American League executive: — 1. John Lackey, Angels: It's great that the Angels have bolstered their offense with Mark Teixeira, but Lackey is their ace …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Miner's long-term status up in the air — Detroit (60-63) vs. Baltimore (59-63), Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET — DETROIT — One of the Tigers' surprise starters, Armando Galarraga, is all but set for next year's rotation. Zach Miner, however, raises a slightly different question, one that doesn't have an answer yet.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Mark Herrmann / On the Yankees beat:
Standard lineup for now, but Matsui near? — Mostly the same starters as yesterday, except for Jose Molina catching, as usual for Mike Mussina. — But there could be a big addition as early as Tuesday. Hideki Matsui played in a simulated game in Florida and showed no ill effects …
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
Los Angeles Times:
This is one fight Jeff Kent isn't going to win — Second baseman disagrees with Vin Scully, and just about everyone else, on reason for his recent success. — T.J. Simers — He's been cantankerous all week — like that's different than any other week, but he's really been Jeff Kent ornery …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
No walks, no problems for Texas Rangers in win — egrant@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - Before entertaining a question Saturday night, Matt Harrison had an impromptu statement for the gathered media. — “I just want to say that I'm happy I didn't walk anybody tonight,” Harrison said.
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Alonso: more than $4.55 million — OK, so here's the scoop, the breakdown of the contract the Cincinnati Reds gave No. 1 pick Yonder Alonso. — Mama, do let your babies grow up to be first basemen. — Alonso's contract is worth a little more than $4.55 million, with incentives. — The breakdown:
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Girardi optimistic, but time running out — New York (65-58) vs. Kansas City (55-68), Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET — NEW YORK — In the early weeks of the 1996 season, Joe Girardi recalls heading home after a Yankees game and being greeted with a speech from his wife, Kim, offering encouragement and reasons to hold his head high.
