Top News:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
YANKS OBTAIN HINSKE — The Yankees acquired veteran lefty hitter Eric Hinske from the Pirates for two minor leaguers not considered significant prospects, righty pitcher Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer. — The move was made by the Yankees for several reasons:
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MLB:
Pittsburgh Pirates trade Nyjer Morgan to Washington Nationals, Eric Hinske to New York Yankees — PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates, swapping outfielders at a rapid rate for the second successive season, sent starting left fielder Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals in a four-player deal involving outfielder Lastings Milledge.
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Nats Trade Milledge, Hanrahan To Pittsburgh For Morgan, Burnett — [UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.] — Done deal. Absolutely finalized. Look for a more detailed news story here in a few minutes. GM Mike Rizzo will address the media about the deal at 4:10 p.m. — [UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.] - The trade is actually a 2-for-2.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks trade for Hinske, bolster outfield — New York sends pair of Minor Leaguers to Pirates in deal — NEW YORK — The Yankees moved Tuesday to add a multi-purposed bat to Joe Girardi's lineup card, acquiring Eric Hinske from the Pirates in exchange for Minor League right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats swap with Bucs, acquire Morgan — Club also gets Burnett in exchange for Milledge, Hanrahan — WASHINGTON — The Nationals have traded reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Pirates for reliever Sean Burnett and outfielder Nyjer Morgan on Tuesday afternoon.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
Yanks deal for Eric Hinske — The Yankees added an insurance policy to their roster today, acquiring Eric Hinske in a trade with the Pirates. — Pittsburgh will receive minor league righthander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer. Hinske, who turns 32 in August, can play first base …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Lowell to DL; Bailey in lineup — The Red Sox today placed Mike Lowell on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip strain (retroactive to June 28), recalling Jeff Bailey from Triple-A Pawtucket and inserting him into tonight's lineup: — 1. Julio Lugo, SS 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B 3. Kevin Youkilis, 3B 4. Jason Bay, LF
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Bailey in Baltimore — BALTIMORE — Jeff Bailey has arrived in Baltimore, and will take the spot of Mike Lowell if the Sox decide to place the third baseman on the disabled list. — Lowell got an injection of Synvisc in his hip yesterday, and had 15 ccs of fluid drained from the hip.
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Source: Steadman finds bruise, recommends rest thru ASG — Carlos Beltran's trip to Vail, Colo., provided a reassuring diagnosis, a source familiar with the examination told the Daily News. — Dr. Richard Steadman, who examined Beltran (pictured right) on Monday, agreed …
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Red Sox duo locked in close All-Star votes — Youkilis pulls ahead, Pedroia very near in balloting's final days — On his march to the Major Leagues, the little guy who plays second base for the Boston Red Sox has heard over and over again that he can't, but then he laces up his spikes, throws on his glove and proves everyone wrong.
RELATED:
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:All-Star voting: Youk pulls ahead, Pedroia closes gap
Discussion:
Angels Unplugged
OurSports Central:
DeCaster Sold to New York Yankees — FARGO, N.D. - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B Yurendell DeCaster is trading in his RedHawks pinstripes for a set of Yankees pinstripes. — The All-Star third baseman has had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees today and will report on Tuesday …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
San Francisco Giants scouts checking out Jermaine Dye — Sox RF grew up near San Francisco — Jermaine Dye runs the bases following a solo home run against the Cubs. (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / June 28, 2009) — CLEVELAND — With the non-waiver trade deadline one month away …
Discussion:
Baseball Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, San Francisco Chronicle, Inside the White Sox and MLB Rumors
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NY Daily News:
Source: Beltran back after break — The Daily News will show you Citi Field. Go on the field, into the clubhouse and see how the new stadium was built. — Sponsored by: — Today's Top Picks … Best Of NYDN.com
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci's AL, NL All-Star selections … With only three days left before polling closes, it's time to recognize the players who should be going to the All-Star Game, as if Ben Zobrist and Aaron Hill have any chance of catching Dustin Pedroia in the balloting.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com
Associated Press:
Angels extend AL West lead after sixth win in a row — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales hit back-to-back home runs that put Los Angeles ahead and the AL West-leading Angels won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the struggling Texas Rangers on Monday night.
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Lisa Winston / MLB.com:
Papelbon ties Red Sox's saves record — Closer notches No. 132, remains in awe of Yanks' Rivera — BALTIMORE — Closer Jonathan Papelbon tied the Red Sox's club record for saves, set by Bob Stanley, with career save No. 132, notched in a 4-0 victory against the Orioles on Monday night.
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Astros option Wright to Triple-A — Lefty pitches well, but team needs roster spot — SAN DIEGO — Left-hander Wesley Wright knew the news coming, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow. — The Astros optioned Wright to Triple-A Round Rock following Monday's 3-1 win over San Diego …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Improved two-strike approach helping Tampa Bay Rays offense rank among baseball's best — TORONTO — LF Carl Crawford may have delivered the biggest hit of Monday's game, a two-run homer in the third inning off Blue Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay. — But it was his single up the middle …
John Harper / NY Daily News:
At start of Mariano Rivera's Yankee career, Gene Michael almost traded him — All these years later, Gene Michael still laughs when he thinks about how Mariano Rivera became the greatest one-pitch pitcher in baseball history. — “He had a hell of a changeup when he was young …
Tom Friend / MLB:
San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn finally comfortable with being himself — Tony Gwynn — Tony (don't call him Junior) Gwynn at ease following in his famous father's footsteps — SAN DIEGO — Every morning, this city wakes up to 1994. Every morning, a sports page arrives with a box score …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Can the Florida Marlins win with Emilio Bonifacio? — Before delving into the topic du jour, another great outing from Ricky Nolasco. He gave up two early runs then retired 20 of the last 21 batters he faced. Since returning from his demotion to Triple-A, Nolasco has not allowed …
