Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Mets looking to unload Wagner — If Billy Wagner's return to New York this weekend is nothing more than a glorified audition, the Mets are already pushing the paperwork that will enable them to trade him. — According to a major league source, the Mets placed Wagner on trade waivers Wednesday.
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Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Reports: Mets put Wagner on waivers — When Billy Wagner drove his big pickup truck to the parking lot at Citi Field on Monday, the guards did not seem to recognize him. He had to talk his way in. After 11 months away from the team and the 38-year-old former Mets closer said that it felt …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Wagner ready to rumble — NEW YORK - The rehabilitation had become filled with rituals for Billy Wagner, but they were as enjoyable as they were arduous. — His two sons would wake up with him in the early morning hours, they would eat breakfast together and the boys would beat him to the diamond.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers sign free-agent pitcher Padilla — Right-hander will move into rotation next Thursday — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Wednesday signed free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla, who will make one Minor League start Saturday for Triple-A Albuquerque, then move into the Major League …
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Dodger Thoughts
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats to name Rizzo GM on Thursday — Announcement expected to be made at news conference — WASHINGTON — The Nationals will officially promote Mike Rizzo to general manager at a news conference on Thursday at Nationals Park, according to a baseball source, who said the Nationals …
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Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Despite Rumors, Nationals Seem Pleased With Acting General Manager Mike Rizzo — After six months of acquisitions and signings, almost all of them well-received, Mike Rizzo has finally obtained the one thing he has been trying all along to get — job security.
Associated Press:
Lee has another stellar outing for Phillies — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cliff Lee (FSY) pitched a two-hitter, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 Wednesday night. — Jayson Werth (FSY) hit a pair of solo homers, Ryan Howard …
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Sports Illustrated:
Brewers trade underperforming Hall to Mariners — The Seattle Mariners acquired Bill Hall from the Milwaukee Brewers today in exchange for minor league pitcher Ruben Flores, SI.com has learned. A source said that the Brewers will pay the remainder of Hall's $6.8 million salary for this season …
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Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Fans' turn to pick Aaron Award nominees — Voting under way to choose club selections for hitting honor — In 1999, the Hank Aaron Award was introduced by Major League Baseball to honor the 25th anniversary of its namesake hitting his 715th home run and passing the immortal Babe Ruth …
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Bottom9 Baseball
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Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Selig: Nats ‘Did What They Had to Do’ to Sign Strasburg — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig characterized the Nationals' signing of pitcher Stephen Strasburg as “fair,” though he appeared to do so grudgingly and acknowledged management's intention to pursue a hard “slotting” …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Bellmore's Lichtman shows his baseball knowledge through UZR — If he ever speaks again in front of a group — of major league coaches, Mitchel Lichtman said — “again,” as in, “He has done so previously,” — the statistical analyst has a new icebreaker.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 121: Yankees at Athletics (with Joba update) — YANKEES (75-45) — Pitching: RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0, 5.13). — ATHLETICS (53-66) — Kennedy 3B — Davis CF — Ellis 2B — Suzuki DH — Sweeney LF — Powell C — Cust RF — Everidge 1B — Pennington SS
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs avoid sweep, beat Padres 7-1 — Harden sparkles as Cubs avoid sweep, but time still not on their side — SAN DIEGO — As disgruntled as Cubs fans seem to be over their highly paid, two-time division champion that is fighting to stay above .500, much less in the playoff hunt …
Associated Press:
Twins again spoil Pudge's return to Rangers 5-4 — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Pardon the Minnesota Twins if they don't get all sentimental about Ivan Rodriguez's (FSY) return to the Texas Rangers. — GAME REPORT: Twins 5, Rangers 4 — Denard Span (FSY) hit a tying double before sliding past Rodriguez …
New York Post:
AMAZIN' BRASS NEEDS TO OWN UP TO PROBLEMS — THE remarkable part, if you think about it, isn't that 38,602 of you bought tickets for last night's grisly slaughterhouse special at Citi Field, or that a good 30,000 of you actually made your way through the turnstiles, or that there were still 25,000 …
Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
Broxton charged with kidnapping Lindbergh baby — Jonathan Broxton against St. Louis this week: three games, 13 batters, one single, two walks, one stolen base, five strikeouts, no earned runs, no inherited runners scoring. And, somehow, the anger of thousands upon thousands of Dodgers fans.
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LADodgerTalk.com
