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.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, umpbump.com, Sliding Into Home, Fantasy Baseball 365, Lone Star Ball, Mets Fever, NESN.com and Amazin' Avenue
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ESPN.com:
Injury to New York Mets' Johan Santana concerning; right fielder Jeff Francoeur has torn ligament — NEW YORK — Johan Santana and Jeff Francoeur are the latest Mets stars to be sidelined with injuries. — Santana — Santana was scratched Monday from his next scheduled start because of discomfort in his pitching elbow.
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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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:Matsui makes a powerful case as free agency nears
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
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.
Associated Press:
Bosox continue offensive surge, whip Contreras, Chisox — BOSTON (AP) — Jose Contreras' (FSY) two-out error on a slow roller led to six runs in the third inning and the Boston Red Sox extended their offensive surge with a 12-8 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Associated Press:
Lee's arm, Howard's power gives Phils win over Mets — NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Howard (FSY) homered twice and drove in five runs, Cliff Lee (FSY) won his eighth straight start and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Monday. — Lee (5-0) did not allow an earned run in seven innings …
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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.
MLB:
Reports: New York Mets' Billy Wagner invoking no-trade clause … New York Mets reliever Billy Wagner will invoke his no-trade clause rather than accept a deal to the Boston Red Sox, according to multiple media reports. — Wagner, through his agent, Bean Stringfellow …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Dugout Central, Full Count, Projo Sox Blog, 24 Hours From Suicide, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog and MLB Rumors
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.
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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
RELATED:
George A. King III / New York Post:GIRARDI SAYS HE WON'T SPLIT UP A.J. AND POSADA
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Former Reds owner Williams dies at 93 — Franchise's greatest success achieved under trailblazer — William J. Williams, a driving force in Cincinnati sports and a former owner of the Reds, passed away on Sunday night at 93. — Williams is also remembered as one of the Queen City's leading businessmen …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jake Peavy could pitch Saturday for Chicago White Sox — He gives up no runs in five innings in 3rd rehab start — BOSTON — Jake Peavy received plenty of work Monday night that should help achieve his goal of joining the White Sox — perhaps as soon as Saturday at New York against Yankees ace CC Sabathia.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards think Smoltz was tipping pitches — Coaching staff says hitters knew what was coming in Boston — SAN DIEGO — The competition level was different. A mechanical tweak didn't hurt. But maybe one other thing went into John Smoltz's eye-catching game against the Padres on Sunday.
