Top News:
John Tomase / Clubhouse Insider:
Penny granted release, making room for Wagner — Veteran right-hander Brad Penny requested and received his release tonight in a move that clears a roster spot for reliever Billy Wagner and gives Penny time to join a new team before postseason rosters are set. — “I asked for my release and I got it,” Penny said.
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 3, White Sox 2 — David Ortiz watches his walkoff home run in the ninth. Game Photos (Jim Davis / Globe Staff) — (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.
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:
NESN.com
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 …
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.
RELATED:
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.
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Perez latest to be shut down — (UPDATED: 6 P.M.) MIAMI — Oliver Perez's incredibly disappointing season is officially over: The left-hander will have season-ending surgery to address tendinitis in his right knee. — Perez had been sent back to New York on Tuesday to be examined by team …
RELATED:
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Dodgers shut down Rockies 6-1 — The Rockies faced a reality check Wednesday night. They quickly discovered that without Aaron Cook in their rotation, reality really bites. — Josh Fogg, Cook's stand-in, made his first start in a Rockies uniform since the 2007 World Series.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Saunders beats Tigers in return — Angels lefty features improved velocity in first start off DL — ANAHEIM — If Wednesday afternoon's game is any indication, the Angels might be getting the version of Joe Saunders who was an All-Star in 2008 for the rest of this season.
Discussion:
6-4-2
RELATED:
Steve Gorten / Sun-Sentinel:
Beinfest: Roster move still possible — South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Miami Gardens - Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Wednesday that the team still might make another acquisition. Players must be added to the roster by midnight Monday to be eligible for the postseason.
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Rockies activate Rincon from DL — Righty headed back to 'pen; Murton designated for assignment — The hot Colorado Rockies got a bullpen boost Wednesday when they reinstated reliever Juan Rincon from the 15-day disabled list. — Rincon, the veteran right-hander, will take the roster spot …
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Zack Greinke will get screwed out of the Cy Young Award and $100,000 because his team stinks. The check is due. — Well, if Zack Greinke keeps going like this, you can come here to Ball Star for your Greinke-for-Cy-Young propoganda. — The bummer of it is that we're most likely …
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.
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 …
Jonathan Hale / Hardball Times:
Into the Next Dimension with HITf/x — Warren Spahn once said: “Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing.” And for all that PITCHf/x has told us about who has the nastiest pitches and what locations hitters feast off, it has had very little to say about such a critical aspect of the hitter-pitcher duel as timing.
T.J. Simers / Los Angeles Times:
He's got a plan for Dodgers' James Loney and his home-run rut — Unable to work with coach Don Mattingly, the columnist enlists Andre Ethier to help the struggling Loney break through. — From Denver — I welcome the challenge, maybe the toughest in a career dedicated to helping our local athletes.
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!
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats seek long-term veteran pitcher — Hernandez fits bill, but not guaranteed to return in 2010 — CHICAGO — Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman said he agrees with team president Stan Kasten and general manager Mike Rizzo that the team's biggest need this offseason is adding a veteran presence to the pitching staff.
