Top News:
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:
MLB nixes Yanks' signing after ID fraud … A top New York Yankees prospect is not who he claims to be, sources tell SI.com. Two weeks ago, the Yankees signed a shortstop purporting to be 16-year-old Damian Arredondo from the Dominican Republic to an $850,000 bonus.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies sign Herges to minor league deal — DENVER — The Rockies are going back to their past for potential help in the future. They signed reliever Matt Herges to a minor-league deal, agent Danny Horwits told the The Denver Post tonight. — The 39-year-old will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
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Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Colorado Rockies:
Corpas Returns to Active Roster — The Rockies issued the following release Thursday: — The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has reinstated right-handed pitcher Manuel Corpas from the 15-day disabled list. In a corresponding roster move, right-handed pitcher Matt Belisle was designated for assignment by the club.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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 …
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Associated Press:
Rockies 10, Padres 1 — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Aaron Cook pitched six solid innings, Clint Barmes hit a three-run homer and Seth Smith added a two-run shot to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 10-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night. — Cook (9-3) continued his dominance …
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Yahoo! Sports
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Los Angeles Times:
Astros ruin Manny Ramirez's homecoming — Five pitchers combine for a shutout. Randy Wolf's good outing is wasted. — The fans at Dodger Stadium rose and roared as the left fielder stepped into the batter's box. — The left fielder was Juan Pierre. — That Manny Ramirez didn't receive …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates offer extensions to Wilson, Sanchez — Best-friend infielders ‘excited’ after team approaches them jointly — The Pirates have approached shortstop Jack Wilson and second baseman Freddy Sanchez about multiyear contract extensions, putting on hold, for now, the possibility that either …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs sign reliever B.J. Ryan — Will rehab in Mesa, then go to Triple-A Iowa — WASHINGTON — The Cubs signed lefty reliever B.J. Ryan and will send him to their spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz. — Ryan, who was a closer for Toronto, will work out in Arizona and report to Triple-A Iowa.
Associated Press:
Phils' Ibanez homers twice as Moyer masters Marlins again — MIAMI (AP) — The mismatches between Jamie Moyer and the Florida Marlins are becoming more one-sided. — Moyer allowed one hit in seven innings to continue his domination of Florida, Ryan Howard hit his 200th homer to sustain …
Brooks / SPORTSbyBROOKS:
Matt Kemp: Likes His ESPYs Drunk, Dates Topless — More than one source tells me today that Matt Kemp of the Dodgers was an absolute trainwreck at the ESPYs last night. — Despite appearing upright on the red carpet for an interview with KSPN-AM's Mason & Ireland before the festivities …
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Betancourt, Gordon coming off DL — Pena designated for assignment; Maier optioned to Triple-A — 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 Daily Dish
Sam Borden / SNY.tv:
Why the Yanks are in good shape — Struggles against top teams aside, Bombers look fine — When the Yankees open up the second half of the season on Friday, they'll do it with a three-game series against the American League Central-leading Tigers — a series that, judging by New York's …
Bill Conlin / Philly.com:
Halladay trade talk has ripple effect — SUDDENLY, TORONTO'S CN Tower, formerly one of the world's tallest structures at 1,815 feet, is only the town's No. 2 edifice. Roy Halladay suddenly stands taller than that. — The 32-year-old righthander has been the sharp focus of a tale …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Ervin Santana still has some magic in his arm — His fastball isn't the same, but he still dominates A's in a 6-2 victory. — Reporting from Oakland — Don't worry about the radar gun. Don't look to the scoreboard for your velocity. Just throw strikes. — Easier said than done.
