Beckett suspended for 6 games by MLB  —  Boston pitcher Josh Beckett has been suspended for six games and fined by Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.  —  Beckett also was cited for …

Milledge Optioned To Class AAA Syracuse [UPDATED]  —  Dissatisfied with his production and tired of waiting for it, the Washington Nationals today optioned Lastings Milledge to Class AAA Syracuse, indicating to their center fielder that long-term potential does not guarantee a short-term job.

Black tinkers with pitching rotation  —  NEW YORK - Manager Bud Black, exploiting Tuesday's open date, tweaked the pitching rotation so that No. 5 starter Shawn Hill will get two extra days of rest and Nos. 1 and 2 starters Jake Peavy and Chris Young will stay on normal rest.

Philly won't be the same without Kalas  —  Hall of Fame voice of the Phillies died Monday at the age of 73 … PHILADELPHIA — He was so much more than the voice of the Phillies.  Harry Kalas was the Phillies.  —  He didn't just describe the games.  His voice took hold of those games and made them his personal amphitheater.

Mike Piazza Leaves Quickly, and Quietly, After Citi Field Ceremony  —  Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza entered Citi Field on Monday night the same way they closed Shea Stadium last fall — arms around each other's shoulders, bathed in camera flashes and thunderous applause.

Former Tiger Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych dies at 54  —  Mark Fidrych, a Detroit baseball icon who colorfully and forcefully burst upon the baseball scene in 1976, died Monday, according to the Worcester (Mass.) District Attorney's office.  —  Fidrych, 54, was reportedly found dead beneath …

Florida Marlins lefty Dan Meyer faces Brave new world  —  Former top prospect for Atlanta trying to re-establish career in 'pen  —  Florida Marlins pitcher Dan Meyer (Tom Ervin, S-S / February 21, 2009)  —  MIAMI GARDENS - When Dan Meyer walks out of the visiting dugout late this afternoon …

Just leave Joakim Soria alone, and let him become one of the game's great closers instead of, say, Dave Bush  —  Ron Mahay gives up consecutive singles to start the ninth inning, turning what should've been an easy end to a win over a struggling team into real, cover-your-eyes drama.

Injured Wagner throws off mound … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Injured New York Mets closer Billy Wagner threw off a mound Tuesday for what was believed to be the first time since elbow ligament replacement surgery last Sept. 10.  —  Wagner threw 10 pitches from flat ground …

Teixeira's left wrist injury not serious  —  MRI reveals just inflammation; should be back Tuesday  —  ST. PETERSBURG — An MRI examination on Mark Teixeira's sore left wrist offered the Yankees slugger peace of mind on Monday, as the results assured him that his injury is nothing more than inflammation.

Jon Lester, Red Sox go quietly  —  Fall flat again in loss to A's  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - The mystery of the Red Sox [team stats]' 2009 identity theft only deepened last night.  —  Another poor effort from the offense and Jon Lester …