Top News:
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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Jayson Stark / MLB:
Los Angeles Dodgers sign Vicente Padilla for rotation — With right-hander Hiroki Kuroda's future uncertain, the Dodgers have reversed course and agreed to a minor league contract with Vicente Padilla. — Padilla is expected to make at least one minor league start for the Dodgers before joining the big league rotation.
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 …
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Circling The Bases
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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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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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Red-hot Yanks trio up for Aaron Award — Cano, Jeter, Teixeira finalists to be Bombers' nominee — The Yankees have looked to Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira to help lead their potent offense all season, and now the trio of pinstriped sluggers have been nominated for the prestigious Hank Aaron Award.
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.
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
No discounting Varitek's value — TORONTO — If nothing else, the Red Sox [team stats] need Jason Varitek [stats] just to catch Josh Beckett [stats]. — The Red Sox captain was a late scratch last night, forcing Victor Martinez to move behind the plate to catch Beckett for the first time.
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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 …
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
Canadian Press:
Ian Kennedy expects to pitch in instructional league — By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) - 1 hour ago — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy likely will pitch next month in the instructional league, his first game action since surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.
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” …
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Hampton has tear in left rotator cuff — Injury discovered after Astros veteran has MRI — HOUSTON — Astros left-hander Mike Hampton, who was placed on the disabled Tuesday with a strained left shoulder, was diagnosed Wednesday with a significant partial thickness tear of his left rotator cuff …
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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