Top News:
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Utley to Have Hip Surgery, Out 4 to 6 Months — Chase Utley will have right hip surgery, and will miss the next four to six months. — The Phillies said in a news release that since the end of the World Series, Utley “has had several diagnostic studies in regards to right hip symptoms that he had during the 2008 season.”
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Scott Lauber / Phillies:
BREAKING: SURGERY FOR UTLEY, FELIZ — Just in: Chase Utley (hip) and Pedro Feliz (lower back) will undergo surgery. Utley, it appears, will miss four to six months, which could delay his start of the 2009 season. Here's the press release, straight from the Phillies …
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Utley to have hip surgery, could be out until June … If the Philadelphia Phillies weren't aware before Thursday of how hard it can be to repeat, the World Series champs know that now. — The team announced Thursday that second baseman Chase Utley will need right hip surgery that potentially …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
It's official: Mussina has retired — This release from the Yankees: — Five-time All-Star Mike Mussina today announced his retirement from Baseball. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Mussina becomes the first pitcher to retire immediately following a 20-win season since Hall …
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New York Post:
COOPERSTOWN VOTE WILL BE A HALLUVA DECISION — THIS was back in spring training, back when Mike Mussina was still lugging around the 5.15 ERA from the season before and all the doubt that comes with that number and another number, 39, his age. — Those numbers suggested all the good stuff …
Associated Press:
‘Tough act to follow’: Hal officially running Yanks — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son, Hal, on Thursday. — Hal Steinbrenner and his brother, Hank, took over most of the daily operation of the Yankees from their father last fall.
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Associated Press:
Bye, George! New Yankee Boss is son Hal — New Stadium, new Boss. Hal Steinbrenner takes over the Yankees after the turbulent but successful 35-year reign of his father George. — George Steinbrenner's 35-year reign as boss of the Yankees ended Thursday when he passed control of baseball's …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Heilman maneuvers — Aaron Heilman doesn't necessarily want out of New York. He just wants out of the bullpen. — But if the Mets insist he remain a reliever, Heilman wants to be traded. — “The object the entire time has never been to get out of New York,” Heilman's agent Mark Rodgers told the Daily News.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Rangers sell Loe's rights to Japanese team … Texas Rangers pitcher Kameron Loe has become the latest major leaguer to leave for Japan, signing a two-year, $2 million contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Pacific League, said a baseball source.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
McAnulty is landing in a new spot, but he'll find some familiar faces — Paul McAnulty's career .400 on-base percentage in the minor leagues never translated into consistent success with the Padres. Next, McAnulty will try to help another team that worships at the altar of OBP …
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:Towers: Cubs still interested in Peavy
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GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Supply outweighs demand when it comes to closers market — As millions of residents of Queens, St. Louis and Cleveland could testify, there was a time — oh, about two months ago — when no one could have dreamed that one day we all would get to live in a world where the supply of closers would exceed the demand.
John Brattain / Hardball Times:
White Flag? — There are rumblings that the Toronto Blue Jays may simply punt on 2009. With the injuries to Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum and the likely departure of A.J. Burnett it may be that absent a significant infusion of cash, there is no way the Jays feel they can compete with the still rising …
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
N.L. M.V.P. NEEDS A REVOTE, NOT A RECOUNT — If a player should be rewarded in the most valuable player voting for enabling his team to overcome his teammates' performances, should a player be penalized for not enabling his team to overcome his teammates' performance?
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe names Hernandez bullpen coach — Spent past three seasons as pitching coach in Detroit — CLEVELAND — The Indians are still sorting through their bullpen options for next season, but they have settled on a coach for the relief corps. — As announced Wednesday …
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