Top News:
MLB:
New York Mets reliever Francisco Rodriguez regrets confrontation with New York Yankees reliever Brian Bruney — Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez says he regrets his aggressive confrontation with New York Yankees reliever Brian Bruney two weeks ago at Yankee Stadium.
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Associated Press:
Former New York Yankees IF Phillips signs with Hiroshima Carp — HIROSHIMA, Japan — Former New York Yankees infielder Andy Phillips has signed a one-year contract worth $400,000 with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Central League. — “I'm really looking forward to playing for a team …
On the Mets beat:
Gameday Live 72: Mets vs. Yankees — Welcome to another night on the blog Mets fans. Citi Field has been hit with severe winds and rain. The tarp has been removed and the first pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. — Tonight's pitching matchup features Mets righty Mike Pelfrey (5-2 …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Andy Phillips Signs With Hiroshima Carp — Former Yankee Andy Phillips signed a one-year deal worth $400k to play for the Hiroshima Carp, according to an AP report on ESPN.com. We heard rumblings about the move earlier in the week, but it's now official. — Phillips, 32, played four seasons …
George A. King III / New York Post:
YANKEES' NADY DONE FOR SEASON — NEEDS TOMMY JOHN SURGERY — The Post has learned Xavier Nady's season is over and next year is in question, too. — According to several teammates, the Yankees outfielder told them late Thursday night that his right elbow requires Tommy John surgery …
Discussion:
MLB.com, MLB Rumors, Pending Pinstripes, New Jersey Online and The Voice of Yankees Universe
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Tony Fabrizio / TBO Rays:
Who gets bumped when Kaz returns? — ST. PETERSBURG - LHP Scott Kazmir will come off the disabled list and pitch Saturday or Sunday against the Marlins, and an announcement on whom he will replace on the roster and in the rotation is imminent. — Manager Joe Maddon reiterated Thursday …
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Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett notches place in team history …
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett notches place in team history …
Discussion:
Around the Majors
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A-Rod ties Reggie on all-time homer list — Slugger blasts solo shot over center-field wall in first — ATLANTA — As Alex Rodriguez prepared for the closing ceremonies at the old Yankee Stadium, he joshed with Reggie Jackson, warning the Hall of Famer that he'd come back gunning for him on baseball's home run list.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves reliever breaks hand punching door
Braves reliever breaks hand punching door
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Great Joba debate rages on — Yanks insist he's a starter; fans would like to see him in 'pen — It has replaced Yankees vs. Mets as the ultimate take-sides debate in the New York sports realm, having kept talk-radio switchboard operators busy pushing at the button for more than a year.
Associated Press:
Sidney Ponson of Kansas City Royals tested positive for stimulant at WBC — Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years. — Major League Baseball will not suspend Ponson.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Magadan suspended for one game — Red Sox coach also fined for arguing balls and strikes — Boston hitting coach Dave Magadan, ejected from the Red Sox's Wednesday night game in Washington for arguing balls and strikes, has been suspended for one game by Major League Baseball.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
MLB reacts to Jackson, Fawcett deaths — King of Pop and Charlie's Angels star had fans around league — The year was 1976. — Farrah Fawcett had the poster that was on walls everywhere. — Michael Jackson was fronting “The Jacksons” — as the band started off on its own a year after leaving Motown.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Four managers who may not be back in 2010 and more (cont.) — Tigers make great moves, look for more — The division always described as wide open became a little less so this week, as the Detroit Tigers' 6-0 homestand enabled them to open a five-game lead on the second-place Twins.
Lauren Beale / Los Angeles Times:
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan J. Braun buys Malibu foreclosure — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan J. Braun has purchased a foreclosed home in Malibu for $4.85 million. — The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom gated Mediterranean has ocean views and sits on more than an acre with a swimming pool, spa and built-in barbecue.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Roenicke more than just a flamethrower — Cincinnati (35-36) at Cleveland (30-44), 7:05 p.m. ET — TORONTO — Reds reliever Josh Roenicke let it be known he's capable of bringing more than the heat. — With fastballs able to reach 97-98 mph on the radar gun, Roenicke has the reputation …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Holders of Season Tickets Are Having Second Thoughts — Jesse Goldman's four Mets season tickets behind the first-base dugout at Shea Stadium have been in his family since Tom Seaver was a young star. — But as prices escalated in recent years, Goldman recouped part of his investment …
Discussion:
New York Times
Associated Press:
MLB tells Philadelphia Phillies-Tampa Bay Rays umpire crew it mistakenly used replay — Turns out umpires are still learning the rules for instant replay, too. — Major League Baseball told an umpiring crew Friday that it mistakenly went to a video review the previous night on a ball hit …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Baseball America:
Prospect Hot Sheet: June 26 — Some Prospect Hot Sheet meetings are easy, and some not so. This was a difficult week. Thanks to the Class A all-star games and a down week for hitters, it's a very pitching-centric Sheet this week. But while that may be true, the overall down week for hitters helped one hitter stand out even more.