Top News:
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Mock Draft 4.0 — Bonus demands adds more confusion to wide-open draft — When team officials head to bed the night before the draft, they usually have a pretty good idea of who they're going to take in the first round. They may not know exactly who's going to fall to them …
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
The Mock Draft — This one could be a mess folks, and it's all about bonus demands at this point. Right now, you have as many as four high school pitchers—Jacob Turner, Tyler Matzek, Matt Purke, and Shelby Miller—looking for big, big money, with the first three all telling teams they're looking …
Discussion:
By Gosh, It's Langosch, Baseball America, The Nats Blog, Bucs Dugout, Pinstriped Bible, 6-4-2, Texas Rangers and Bottom9 Baseball
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Ninety Minutes & Counting . . . And I just got my makeup done here at MLB Network, so I look pretty. — As mentioned in this morning's complete first-round projection, many of the projected first-round high schoolers threw out bigger asking prices than expected.
Baseball Analysts:
The 2009 MLB Draft is (Finally) Upon Us — The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft begins today at 6 p.m. ET. The MLB Network will broadcast the first round from its Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J. with MLB.com providing on-air coverage of the remainder of the draft …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Red Reporter, DRaysBay, Athletics Nation, The Yankee Universe and River Avenue Blues
Steve Henson / Yahoo! Sports:Mock draft: No. 1 pick a no-brainer
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe, Lookout Landing, Batter's Box Interactive …, Plain Dealer and Purple Row
Philly.com:
Lidge goes on disabled list — Righthander Brad Lidge was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right knee, retroactive to June 7, the Phillies said today. — To take his spot on the 25-man roster, the Phillies selected the contract of catcher Paul Bako from double-A Reading.
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Associated Press:
Phillies' Lidge on DL with sprained knee — NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge has gone on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right knee. — The move was announced before Tuesday's series opener at the New York Mets and was retroactive to Sunday.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
A missed mark — Even now, as Mark Teixeira continues to pound away at opposing pitchers at a frantic rate, the impact of his arrival in the American League East has yet to be felt. For the Red Sox, after all, Teixeira was not as much about the present as he was about the future.
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Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Yanks leading in AL East, All-Star votes — Teixeira drives past Youkilis; Jeter remains in lead at short — The votes, following Mark Teixeira's other numbers, are beginning to mushroom for the New York Yankees first baseman. — First base in the American League is considered the most loaded …
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John Manuel / Baseball America:
And The Rockies Select . . . Matzek! — Colorado has two picks and has been silent, no one seems to know what was happening here. — Now we do. The Rockies take Tyler Matzek, the lefthander out of Capo Valley High in Califorina, and no one thought that was happening.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
The one? All eyes on Strasburg — Expected to be first pick, phenom has met every test — At approximately 6:15 p.m. ET today, the world of Stephen Strasburg will change forever. And, if you believe all the hype about the San Diego State right-hander, Major League Baseball may never be the same again.
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Associated Press:
Jays' Litsch set for John surgery, out for season — TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays starter Jesse Litsch will have Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the season, a major blow to a team trying to keep pace in the competitive AL East. — Toronto is already missing starting right-handers Dustin McGowan …
Trsullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
Rangers acquire RHP Grilli to replace Benson — The Rangers have acquired RHP Jason Grilli for cash considerations, according to a source. He was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies last week. — He was 0-1 with a 6.05 ERA in 22 games for the Rockies as a reliever.
Associated Press:
Suspended Manny Ramirez visits with Los Angeles Dodgers teammates — LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez visited his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates before their game against San Diego on Tuesday night, popping into the clubhouse before a home game for the first time since his suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Brothers To Rockies; Davidson A D-Back — Colorado is suddenly having a very good draft. Tyler Matzek at 11, Tim Wheeler at 32, and now Rex Brothers at 34, giving the Rockies a big power arm. I'm a big Brothers believer; he may have a rough, short arm action and a modest track record …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Associated Press:
Rangers' Hamilton has surgery on torn abdomen — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has had surgery in Philadelphia to repair a partially torn abdominal muscle. — Manager Ron Washington said the surgery Tuesday went well and that Hamilton is expected back in Texas on Wednesday.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
X-man making progress; pitchers take their cuts — Xavier Nady continues to make progress with his injured right elbow in Tampa, leaving open the possibility the outfielder could rejoin the Yankees next week for their nine interleague games in National League parks.
