Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Johan scratched, to see doctor Tuesday — Ace has elbow pain; Francoeur tears thumb ligament — NEW YORK — Mets players said Monday they expect Johan Santana will require surgery on his left elbow to repair whatever malady has prompted the club to scratch the pitcher from his scheduled start against the Marlins in Miami on Tuesday.
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Associated Press:
New York Mets left-hander Santana scratched; righ fielder Jeff Francoeur has torn ligament — NEW YORK — Johan Santana was scratched from his next scheduled start because of discomfort in his pitching elbow, the latest injury to a star player on the depleted New York Mets. — Santana
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
NY Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur held out of lineup with bruised thumb … NEW YORK — Jeff Francoeur's diving catch in the ninth inning Sunday saved potential runs and cost him an appearance in Monday's game. — Francoeur bruised his left thumb and will be held out of the lineup for the final game of this series with Philadelphia.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Dream World Series matchups, latest on Billy Wagner and notes … It's time now to start dreaming about the best possible World Series matchups. Here are my favorites for this year. — The best matchups: — 1. Yankees vs. Dodgers: Joe Torre vs. his old team.
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Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Pettitte feels far from finished — BOSTON - Andy Pettitte says he hasn't started thinking about 2010 and the decisions that he will have to weigh when he is a free agent once again. Too much baseball left to play this year, especially with the Yankees cruising toward a return to October.
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Rumors: Damon, Pettitte, Matsui — Last year it was Mussina, Abreu and Giambi. This year we've got another set of free agents-to-be in the Bronx, so let's take a look at the latest rumors surrounding them: — Johnny Damon doesn't expect to negotiate with the Yankees before the season's over …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:Matsui makes a powerful case as free agency nears
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
MLB:
Billy Wagner to Boston Red Sox: Nix option to seal deal … NEW YORK — Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of the team. — That's why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade …
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WBBH-TV:
Matsuzaka pitches for Red Sox GCL team — FORT MYERS - Daisuke Matsuzaka faced live batters today for the first time in over two months, starting for the Red Sox rookie team in a Gulf Coast League game. Matsuzaka and the GCL Sox played the GCL Rays in sweltering heat at the Red Sox Player Development Complex in Fort Myers.
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Fluto Shinzawa / Boston Globe:
Positive Matsuzaka report from Florida — Terry Francona received good news today from Fort Myers, where Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched three innings in a Gulf Coast League game against Tampa Bay minor leaguers. Matsuzaka threw 37 pitches, recording four strikeouts and allowing one hit in a 2-0 Red Sox win.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Rich Harden's contract an off-season challenge for Chicago Cubs — Starter in line for long-term deal approaching $60 million — Rich Harden throws to the Marlins in the second inning. (J Pat Carter, Associated Press / July 31, 2009) — While Carlos Zambrano takes the spotlight Tuesday night …
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Brian Shephard / MLB Rumors:
Discussion: Should The Cubs Re-Sign Harden? — Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune outlines the dilemma the Cubs will face when Rich Harden becomes a free agent after this season: he is perhaps the ultimate risk-reward player. When he's healthy, as he has been during the second half this year, there are few better.
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Depth makes Rockies' staff dangerous — Reliability defines a rotation headed by budding Jimenez — DENVER — Rockies manager Jim Tracy spent this past weekend as Don King — without the spiky hair and bizarre flourishes. Tracy had a big match to promote and a challenger to sell.
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MLB:
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi squashes notion of A.J. Burnett-Jorge Posada issue — Yankees manager Joe Girardi sees no reason to split up batterymates A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada despite some obvious miscommunication between the duo during a 14-1 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday. — Posada
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George A. King III / New York Post:GIRARDI SAYS HE WON'T SPLIT UP A.J. AND POSADA
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
Associated Press:
Colorado Rockies sign former A's, Yankees 1B Jason Giambi to minor league contract — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have signed former AL MVP Jason Giambi to a minor league contract. — The 38-year-old Giambi will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping for a September call-up to help the Rockies with their pennant push.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Gary Armida / fullcountpitch.com:
Mariners Get Defensive — The Seattle Mariners are in the midst of a fine rebound season from their 101 loss 2008 season. The organization has changed the culture in so many ways. First year General Manager Jack Zduriencik had quite a challenge in rebuilding the once proud franchise.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Bruntlett sending jersey to Hall of Fame — Phils infielder turned 15th unassisted triple play Sunday — NEW YORK — The incredible rarity of what happened to Eric Bruntlett on Sunday still hasn't completely sunk in. — He turned an unassisted triple play in a 9-7 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
