Top News:
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
Mariano, meet your successor — I've already gone on record saying that I believe Phil Hughes should be the Yankees' next closer. What I saw tonight did nothing but confirm that belief. — Hughes picked up his first big-league save with a pair of scoreless innings …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
If Yanks do make a deal, it's for a hurler — Rotation thinned out by emergence of Aceves, Hughes — NEW YORK — The Yankees made a calculated gamble in poaching starting pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Phil Hughes for their bullpen, one that has helped them become a first-place club while also leaving a lack of depth.
Roy Halladay / Sports Illustrated:
Contenders jockeying for position in pursuit of big four trade targets … With one week to go before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, the Phillies remain the favorites to land ace Roy Halladay and the Cardinals emerged as a possible landing spot for outfielder Matt Holliday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Buster Olney / MLB:
MLB trade: St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics talking Matt Holliday trade — The St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics have been talking about a possible swap of All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday and top prospect Brett Wallace, according to sources, and one person familiar with the talks places the odds of a deal at 50-50.
Associated Press:
Buehrle completes perfect game to throttle Rays — CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle pitched the first perfect game in the major leagues in five years Thursday and Chicago White Sox center fielder DeWayne Wise got the assist. — Buehrle (11-3) got a great catch from center fielder Wise leading off …
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Andrew Seligman / Yahoo! Sports:Perfection: Sox' Mark Buehrle pitches perfect game
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Halladay not interested in extension — Blue Jays ace plans to test open market after 2010 season — TORONTO — Before this season began, general manager J.P. Ricciardi made it known that the Blue Jays had no plans to trade Roy Halladay. If anything, the team was going to try to work …
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies acquire Betancourt for Class-A pitcher Graham — DENVER — The Rockies have acquired reliever Rafael Betancourt to the Rockies for Class-A pitcher Connor Graham, according to a major league source. — Graham had been pitching well for Modesto, but the Rockies need big-league relief help.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Purple Row, Let's Go Tribe!, Baseball America, Trade Talk, Mike Silva's …, Bottom9 Baseball, Fox Sports, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Comeback Kings: Napoli, Kendrick rally Angels past Twins — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Howie Kendrick's (FSY) single ricocheted off second base in the ninth inning to drive in Los Angeles' tying run, and Mike Napoli's (FSY) run-scoring double in the 10th capped the Angels' 31st comeback victory …
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Katie Strang / Newsday:
Source: Maine could miss rest of season — Mets pitcher John Maine will seek a second opinion on his injured right shoulder, multiple sources confirmed Thursday. Maine, who went on the disabled list June 12 with a pinched nerve in the shoulder, is expected to visit Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Wang's right shoulder not improving — Yanks to discuss results of righty's visit with doctor — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang is concerned that his 2009 season may be over, having sought a second opinion as he continues to feel discomfort in his right shoulder.
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Disquieting Hush Envelops Floundering Mets — The Mets are tumbling in the standings. The list of players on the disabled list is growing at an alarming rate. The team's top minor league affiliates are in last place, apparently lacking budding stars. The vice president …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, It's About The Money, Mike's Mets, NY Daily News and New York Mets Fan Blog
Associated Press:
Hamels back in the win column as Phillies pound Padres — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels (FSY) pitched seven effective innings, Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz (FSY) had three hits apiece and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 9-4 in a makeup game Thursday night.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Cox makes tough decision to demote Conrad — Brooks Conrad did more than anyone could have expected in his first stint with the Braves, but it wasn't enough to keep them from sending the 29-year-old rookie back to the minors Thursday. — Conrad was optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett to make room …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Ed Price / MLB FanHouse:
Rays Want to Deal, Could Move Kazmir to Angels to Clear Room — According to a source familiar with the Rays front office, team VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is “eager to do something,” with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez “players of interest” to Tampa Bay.
