Top News:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels had interest in reliever Billy Wagner — General Manager Tony Reagins says he continues to explore waiver claims and trades. But Angels could face Red Sox in the playoffs. — Former Mets reliever Billy Wagner went to the Red Sox on Tuesday as the Angels continue to look for bullpen help.
RELATED:
John Barone / MLB.com:
Martinez accepts challenge of knuckler — Chicago (63-63) at Boston (72-53), 7:10 p.m. ET — BOSTON — At 30 years of age, Victor Martinez already has quite the Major League resume. — A veteran of 843 career games, he's made three trips to the All-Star Game, finished in the Top 10 …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Penny done? — There were strong indications the Red Sox were planning a roster move involving Brad Penny. — After the game, the Sox brass, which included owner John Henry, general manager Theo Epstein, director of baseball operations Brian O'Halloran and Terry Francona met with Penny before Francona's post-game press conference.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox-White Sox: Updates — (9:43. Game Over, Red Sox 3, Chicago 2)The good old days returned to Fenway as David Ortiz stroked a walkoff homer to right field, his second of the night. It was Ortiz' 10th walkoff homer, ninth with the Red Sox, breaking the team record his shared with Jimmie Foxx.
Paul Elias / Associated Press:
Court: Investigators wrong to seize MLB drug list — SAN FRANCISCO — An appeals court ruled Wednesday that federal agents were wrong to seize the infamous drug list and samples of 104 Major League Baseball players who allegedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mid-day reading: Hideki Matsui, Ken Griffey, Jr., Oliver Perez and the Nick Swisher bunt — For my Midweek Insider, I asked Hideki Matsui whether he would be all right playing with Ichiro Suzuki. Matsui said yes. Thanks to Sandy for inspiring me to ask the question.
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Joba to go on regular rest, start Sunday — Yankees look ahead on young righty with eye on innings — NEW YORK — Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced prior to Tuesday's game that Joba Chamberlain will make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the White Sox.
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Oliver Perez to have Season-Ending Surgery — Oliver Perez has been diagnosed with patella tendon tendinosis in his right knee and will have season-ending surgery. — ...are you surprised... seriously, i hope you aren't... Perez was examined today by Dr. Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Jack Curry / Bats:
Would You Have Asked? — The Yankees were staging a dramatic comeback against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. They scored four runs in the ninth inning to trim their deficit to 10-9, and they had runners on first and second with no outs. Frank Francisco, the Rangers' closer, was aching to get an out.
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Covering the bases with Youkilis — He is the Swiss Army Knife of baseball players. The late Billy Mays would have been perfect for a Kevin Youkilis infomercial. — “Youuuuuk! He plays first base! He plays third base! He plays left field! He'll pitch if you want him to pitch!
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Starting 9 — September a key month for Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and several managers — Employed, unemployed or retired in 2010? For some, final month could be key — ESPN.com — September is a time for college dorm openings, Jerry Lewis sightings, foliage tours to begin booking seats …
Tom King / Nashuatelegraph.com:
Defenders locked out of Holman — sports@nashuatelegraph.com — NASHUA - Parked at nearly the same spot at home plate in Holman Stadium where the Nashua Pride era began 11 years ago, a city tractor may have signified the end to the American Defenders of New Hampshire era.
Associated Press:
Yankees blast Rangers 9-2 behind Posada, Pettitte — NEW YORK (AP) — Jorge Posada (FSY) hit a three-run homer, Andy Pettitte (FSY) finally gave New York a quality pitching performance, and the free-swinging Yankees romped to a 9-2 victory against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Bradley: I face hatred on a daily basis — Milton Bradley said after Tuesday's loss he's “never” comfortable playing at Wrigley Field. — “It's hard to be comfortable when you don't get a hit and get booed every time,” he said. “When I go home and look in the mirror, I like what I see.
TMZ.com:
Former Mets Pitcher Sued for Balking on a Bill — Just days after being dropped by the New York Mets for being a terrible baseball player, Livan Hernandez had a lawsuit dropped in his lap for allegedly being a terrible payer. — A guy named Franklin Vizcaino — who claims …
Beck / Beck's Blog:
Galarraga to Toledo, Robertson to start Saturday — Nate Robertson is returning to the Detroit Tigers to start. Armando Galarraga is heading to Triple-A Toledo to basically recuperate. — The Tigers announced Wednesday that they've optioned Galarraga to the Mud Hens for what is expected …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
The terrible message the Mets sent to their fans — When the Bernie Madoff case blew open last December, and we wondered how the Mets would function due to the Wilpons' losses, I requested that we all wait and see how things play out before rendering judgment. — Well, I think things have played out long enough.
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …
