Top News:
Peter Abraham / The Journal News:
Wang optimistic about 2010 — NEW YORK - Chien-Ming Wang, who had shoulder surgery in July, hopes to travel with the Yankees during the postseason even through he cannot play. — “This is a great team. We can win the World Series,” he said. “I want to see that.”
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:Might The Yankees Nontender Chien-Ming Wang?
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Lidge, Manuel on same page — Closer ready to be used out of bullpen in a variety of ways — WASHINGTON — Brad Lidge's role in the Phillies' bullpen has changed, and Thursday provided the first example of how much. — Charlie Manuel said before the Phils' 8-7 loss to the Nationals …
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Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Lidge's New Role — Brad Lidge's role in the Phillies bullpen has changed, but how that role works remains to be seen. — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before tonight's game against the Nationals that to get Lidge right he plans to pitch him in low stress situations …
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies' Contreras strains quad — The Rockies' injury bug has turned into an epidemic. — Starting pitcher Jose Contreras left today's game against the Reds in the third inning when he injured his right leg running to first base after hitting a grounder to short.
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Associated Press:
Rockies roll over Reds, log seventh consecutive win — DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies keep losing players and winning games. — Starting pitcher Jose Contreras (FSY) came out in the third inning with a strained quadriceps Thursday, his second start for injured Aaron Cook (FSY).
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Gil Meche not likely to pitch the rest of the season — Gil Meche is now unlikely to pitch again the rest of the season, and Brian Bannister is headed to New York for a second opinion as both Royals pitchers deal with shoulder injuries. — Royals manager Trey Hillman would not reveal …
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Sports Illustrated:
Royals cap surprising sweep of first-place Tigers … KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) When the first-place Detroit Tigers rolled into last-place Kansas City this week, they had good reason to hope for a three-game sweep. — Instead, the Tigers got swept themselves - by three spot starters.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Dallas Morning News:
Kevin Millwood's 2010 return would benefit Texas Rangers — The chief concern among questions submitted this week involved the durability and affordability of right-hander Kevin Millwood. — He's still considered the staff ace, even by Scott Feldman, but Millwood's numbers have declined since the All-Star break.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Associated Press:
Torii Hunter of Los Angeles Angels wins Branch Rickey Award — DENVER — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter was named the winner of the Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his work with kids in the community. — Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991 …
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New York Post:
Yankees get good news on Robertson — David Robertson and the Yankees got good news after the reliever had his ailing elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews. — “He won't be out more than 10 days to two weeks,” Brian Cashman said today. “He should be pitching before September (ends).
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Gerry Fraley / Fox Sports:
Let's be frank about these ballparks — With the approaching end of the regular season comes the opening of the blame game. Some teams should look beyond the general manager, the manager, the coaching staff and the roster when assigning blame. — The ballparks are to blame, too.
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
GAMES WRITERS PLAY — It is a popular game with baseball writers. It is an easy game to play. All it requires is a telephone; the number of calls is up to the writer/player. An Internet column I came across last week epitomized the practice. — I won't identify the column …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Starting 9 — Assessing young pitchers' workloads — Chamberlain, Porcello, Kershaw, among others, pushing the limit on their inning totals — We've seen the advent of the Joba Rules and baseball embrace the tenets of the “Verducci effect,” which says young pitchers run an increased risk …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Pete McElroy / MASNsports.com:
“It's a baseball game; it's not a physically taxing sport.” — Interim manager Jim Riggleman feels baseball is not that hard of a sport. Not hard in the sense that it takes a toll on a player physically. — Prior to tonight's game with the Phillies, Riggleman was asked how he plans …
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