Top News:
Charles Odum / Associated Press:
CHURCH FACING METS IN FIRST ATLANTA GAME — ATLANTA — Ryan Church knew he wouldn't have to wait long for his reunion with his former Mets teammates when he left New York last week. — Church said he told manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya, “Now I get to beat up on you next week.”
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Injury-riddled Mets need fast start to second half — Interesting. That's the word Jerry Manuel used to describe the first half for the Mets. Here are a few more: Demoralizing. Stupefying. Embarrassing. And above all else, surprising. No one could have predicted that the Mets …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
F-Mart has surgery and other not-so-great news — Just wrapped a conference call with Omar Minaya, who provided updates on the Mets' numerous injuries. Not much good news. Here's a recap: — Fernando Martinez had surgery two days ago to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and will be out six to eight weeks.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
Second-Half Prescriptions: NL by Baseball Prospectus — NL — Philadelphia Phillies: Their situation is similar to the Yankees'—they have a productive yet imperfect offense and a pitching staff that hasn't lived up to expectations. They can give the offense a very small goose by turning …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Sky Kalkman / Beyond the Box Score:
What's a Fair Return in a Roy Halladay Trade? — More photos » by Brian Blanco - AP — I have a great idea for a high-impact trade target that nobody's talking about: Roy Halladay. There would probably be a team or two interested, don't you think? If I see any further mention of this possibility, I'll let you know.
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals designate Pena, option Maier — Betancourt, Gordon coming off DL, will play Friday — KANSAS CITY — The Royals designated shortstop Tony Pena for assignment and optioned center fielder Mitch Maier to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. — The moves cleared roster space …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
D-backs payroll stable with cash investment — Player salaries not expected to take hit in future — PHOENIX — The current season isn't playing out exactly the way the D-backs' ownership planned it, but because of an influx of capital from the general and limited partners, player payroll should not take a hit in the years to come.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondacks to share site on tribal land — PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are NL West rivals. Now they're partners in a spring training facility planned for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Phoenix.
ESPN:
Ranking the AL's roughest roads to the playoffs — Schedule advantages and disadvantages are difficult to calculate in baseball, because you don't know who will be hurt, which team will be hot and which team will fade, and you don't know exactly which pitcher you might face in a crucial series in September.
Erik Boland / E-Boland and the Bombers:
Marte pitches in rehab game — Damaso Marte, on the DL since May 3 (retroactive to April 26) made his first rehab appearance today, throwing one inning against the GCL Pirates in Tampa. Marte allowed one run and two hits, throwing 12 pitches. Marte is scheduled to pitch again Saturday.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Ben Goessling / Washington Times:
Riggleman wants Nats to close gap — The Jim Riggleman Era, as short and as indistinguishable as it might be, has begun for the Washington Nationals. Now it's up to the team's new interim manager to make it count for something. — There's not likely to be much on the line except pride …
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Curtis Granderson / Yahoo! Sports:
The Grandstand: Meeting the President and signing autographs — Well, the All-Star Game is officially over. — For me, it was an incredible experience. There is no way to truly prepare for everything thrown at you your first time at this event except to experience it.
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
NY Daily News:
Heat is on Roger Clemens — The grand jury believed to be investigating Roger Clemens for perjury has issued a subpoena to the owner of a now-defunct Houston-area gym linked to the distribution of steroids and human growth hormone. — Kelly Blair, whose 1-on-1 Elite Personal Fitness in Pasadena …
Dave Pease / Unfiltered:
Prospectus Idol: We Have a Winner! — Ken Funck's introduction to SOMA and call for help from producers were very popular with judges and pushed him over the top in Prospectus Idol Finals Week. Congratulations, Ken! — As specified in the contest announcement, we'll be featuring Ken's work throughout …
