Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Texas Rangers claim RP Darren O'Day from Mets — Darren O'Day, designated for assignment by the Mets last Saturday, is headed to the Texas Rangers, Newsday has learned. — The Rangers have been awarded the waiver claim on O'Day, 26, whom the Mets claimed from the Angels in last December's Rule 5 draft.
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Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Figgy clears waivers — Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers, allowing him to return to Triple-A Buffalo. He had a credible outing Sunday against the Brewers as a spot starter for Mike Pelfrey, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings, but was designated for assignment …
Discussion:
The Mets Report
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Claim Darren O'Day — According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Rangers claimed reliever Darren O'Day off waivers from the Mets. O'Day's Rule 5 situation remains - the Rangers have to keep him in the Majors or offer him back to the Angels. — O'Day, 26, posted fine numbers …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Stopping Dodgers may prove costly — Astros' Valverde pulls calf muscle when hit by line drive — HOUSTON — On paper, Tuesday night's matchup was overwhelmingly in the favor of the visiting Dodgers. Their heralded 21-year-old left-hander, Clayton Kershaw, had a 1.50 ERA …
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Benjamin Hill / MLB.com:
MiLB to take over Dodgertown complex — Vero Beach facility to be used year-round for variety of purposes — Today marks the start of a new era for one of Florida's oldest professional baseball facilities. — In a press conference Wednesday morning, it was announced that Minor League Baseball …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Daley arrives, Hammel joins rotation for Monday — PHOENIX — Matt Daley arrived to smiles and handshakes. The reliever, who made a solid clubhouse impression during spring training, joined the Rockies today after catching a 6 a.m. flight from Reno. Jason Hammel, meanwhile, caught a break.
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Revived Bullpen Helps Nationals Win Second Straight — To take a lead last night, the Washington Nationals relied on the most methodical component of their team. To hold the lead, they relied on madness. Last night's 4-3 win against the Atlanta Braves compressed the work of a patient offense with a pins-and-needles ninth.
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Steve Bisheff / Angels Unplugged:
Wood is here, now play him — So the Angels finally come to their senses and start calling around, finding out what free-agent pitchers might be available. Better yet, they recall Brandon Wood from Salt Lake. — Except in Wood's case, they don't plan to play him. They plan to sit him.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rocky start, solid victory — Four-run sixth negates fielding miscues, pitching woes — PHOENIX — Brad Hawpe and the Rockies proved Tuesday night that looking bad is not a permanent condition. — Hawpe has been the Rockies' most consistent hitter during a difficult start.
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Keith Olbermann Hired by MLBAM. Will Donate At-Large Salary to Charity — MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced today that it has hired anchor, sportscaster and journalist Keith Olbermann as an at-large columnist. Olbermann's columns, currently available three times per week at keitholbermann.mlblogs.com …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
A's Holliday is open to playing in New York — There are certain requirements that come with this job, and one is this: Whenever you're interviewing an big-name, impending free agent, you must ask him whether he would consider playing in New York. — “Yeah, I would play here,” …
Associated Press:
Red Sox beat Twins in rain-shortened opener — Tim Wakefield pitched a five-hitter for his second consecutive complete game and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] earned their sixth straight victory, beating the Minnesota Twins 10-1 in seven innings Wednesday as rain shortened the opener of a scheduled day-night doubleheader.
Associated Press:
Bucs sweep hot Marlins, Maholm improves to 3-0 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Florida Marlins went from being very hot to very cold during only three days in Pittsburgh. — Adam LaRoche had four hits and little brother Andy LaRoche drove in a pair of runs, leading the Pirates to a 7-4 victory …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte, Mo tie record as Yanks top A's — Defense lends big hand to help duo reach win-save mark — NEW YORK — Shaking hands as Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” rained down on the infield, Mariano Rivera approached Andy Pettitte, offering his long-time teammate a milestone baseball.
Discussion:
The Voice of Yankees Universe, Bronx Baseball Daily, YanksBlog.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Pounding the pavement — Pedro, Big Hurt, Edmonds among the free agents still looking for work — As Major League Baseball continues its love affair with players so young they don't even need a Red Bull to get up for a game, a corresponding fraternity of veterans is feeling unloved, unwanted and — let's be frank — unemployed.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
What to Do About Murphy? — ST. LOUIS - So, what now? — Maybe that's the question on your minds after Tuesday's 6-4 loss, another defeat triggered by a Daniel Murphy goof in left field. He took full responsibility after dropping Cody Ross's fly ball on April 12, leading to two unearned runs …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Paul White / USA Today:
Faces of the franchise: Young stars cast as leading men — WASHINGTON — It was one of those brief conversations between opponents in the middle of a baseball game. Hanley Ramirez stood on the base next to Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman last May.