Top News:
Buster Olney / MLB:
Atlanta Braves interested in Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny, according to sources — The Braves already have made moves to augment their rotation, calling up super prospect Tommy Hanson to make his major league debut on Sunday, after summoning Kris Medlen last month. But Atlanta might not be done adding pitching.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Hardball Times, MLB Rumors, Bowman's Blog, Philly.com, Talking Chop and Dallas Sports
RELATED:
Mike Morris / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Glavine says he was ‘blindsided’ by release — Teams have reportedly inquired about acquiring former Brave pitcher — Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine said Friday that he was “blindsided” by his sudden dismissal this week from the team where he was a 10-time All Star.
Albert Chen / Sports Illustrated:
The NL East's X-Factor … Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Tommy Hanson — the future face of the Atlanta Braves, the pitching phenom who will have the biggest impact on pennant races this summer, the savior to fantasy baseball teams everywhere — is that not so long ago, there was nothing remarkable about him at all.
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Raissman: Sterling effort a-bomb — The celebration to commemorate the end of the old Yankee Stadium did not include one tribute to John Sterling, who was marking his 20th anniversary as Bombers radio voice. The tragic oversight has led Pa Pinstripe to use the inaugural season of the new palace to celebrate himself.
RELATED:
JamesK / Amazin' Avenue:
Omar Minaya, Please Don't Do Anything Drastic — The news of Jose Reyes's hamstring tear is disappointing, and his production in the lineup will be missed no matter how long he is sidelined. Shortstops worth 5-6 WAR per season are precious commodities. However, the season certainly is not lost.
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Putz to go under the knife on Tuesday (updated) — Half the tag team Omar Minaya assembled to insulate the Mets from a repeat of last year's 29 blown saves is expected to be sidelined for two months. — J.J. Putz will undergo surgery Tuesday to remove a bone spur and fragments of a broken bone …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Redefining ‘prospect’ — It's getting mighty crowded in Colorado's outfield. Tracy Ringolsby: — Carlos Gonzalez's time has come. — The left-handed-hitting outfielder acquired as part of the package from Oakland for Matt Holliday will join the Rockies in St. Louis on Friday.
RELATED:
Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Colorado Rockies:
Cargo Arrives in St. Louis Friday — Carlos Gonzalez's time has come. — The left-handed-hitting outfielder acquired as part of the package from Oakland for Matt Holliday will join the Rockies in St. Louis on Friday. The Rockies also have activated right-handed reliever Matt Daley from the disabled list.
Associated Press:
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz thinking of getting eyes checked — DETROIT — David Ortiz doesn't think that his season-long slump has anything to do with his eyes. At this point, though, he's willing to try just about anything. — Ortiz — Ortiz, who didn't play in Boston's 6-3 win …
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Ortiz still looking for an answer
Discussion:
Texas Rangers, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, Deadspin, Bugs & Cranks and Empyreal Environs
Howard Bryant / ESPN:
Fair or not, Washington a lame duck — In the final year of his contract, Rangers' manager doing all he can to keep his job — NEW YORK — There is something quintessentially American about Ron Washington, the Texas Rangers' manager, as he sits in the visiting manager's office at Yankee Stadium …
MLB:
Nate McLouth trade angers some Pittsburgh Pirates players — Pittsburgh Pirates players are not happy that management traded away starting center fielder Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for three prospects. — “Wow,” second baseman Freddy Sanchez said Thursday of the trade, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Related Content … SPORTS > BASEBALL > TEXAS RANGERS — Texas Rangers — Padilla wants to stay and help Texas Rangers compete for wins — jwilson@star-telegram.com — NEW YORK — Right-hander Vicente Padilla said he wants to remain with the Texas Rangers and help them stay …
RELATED:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles release reliever Walker — Team cuts struggling lefty, recalls Castillo from Norfolk — OAKLAND, Calif. - Feeling that they could no longer count on Jamie Walker to get left-handed hitters out, the Orioles released the struggling reliever today despite still owing him approximately $3 million.
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Route to the Bottom? It Starts at the Top — This week, the Nationals fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire. Traditionally, that means the manager has about a month to get his team to shape up or he's gone, too. The Nats have purged their bullpen twice, banished an outfielder to the minors …
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:
Fired scout subject of skimming probe … The Los Angeles Angels international supervisor of scouting fired on Monday is a subject of an ongoing Major League Baseball Department of Investigations probe into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, SI.com has learned.
RELATED:
Tim Marchman / Sports Illustrated:
Starter or reliever? When it comes to Joba, the choice is simple … Mariano Rivera is the best reliever in baseball history, and the best paid. He earns $15 million each year, which would make him the ninth-highest paid starter in the game. Brad Lidge, at $12 million …
