Top News:
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Toronto/Philly announcement coming later today — In reality, Major League Baseball had little choice. Some of the most powerful leaders in the world were going to be in Toronto the same weekend the Blue Jays were scheduled to host the Phillies, and the resulting secuirty complications were impossible to navigate.
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Scott Lauber / Clubhouse Insider:
Francona: Back spasms for Beckett, won't start Friday — Josh Beckett had been scheduled to appear today at a private launch party for his new charity wine, Chardon-K. — Instead, he was having his balky back examined. — Beckett, the struggling Red Sox right-hander …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Beckett's next start delayed — He has spasms in his back after BP — Manager Terry Francona announced Josh Beckett would be pushed back from tomorrow's scheduled start to Friday to give him a chance to throw a second side session, and to give Tim Wakefield a start.
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On, Over the Monster, Surviving Grady, Red Sox Monster, The Bottom Line and ESPN
Associated Press:
Reds' Cueto 1-hits Bucs for 1st complete game — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched a one-hitter for his first major league complete game, allowing only a third-inning single that went off shortstop Paul Janish 's glove, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-0 on Tuesday night for their fourth consecutive win.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves:
Chipper no longer talking about retirement — MILWAUKEE - Those wondering what's going through Chipper Jones' head these days vis-à-vis the retirement possibility he mentioned last fall, well, you can stop wondering for the time being. — He said he's not thinking about walking away after the 2010 season.
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pregame notes: Aceves out with bulging disc — Until yesterday, the Yankees were optimistic about Alfredo Aceves and his sore back. Aceves said he felt much better, and manager Joe Girardi thought Aceves was a day or two away from returning to the bullpen. — Then Aceves tried to throw yesterday and he felt his back pinch.
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Associated Press:
Mauer returns to Twins' lineup as catcher, not DH … MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer is in the lineup at catcher against the Chicago White Sox for the first time since injuring his heel on April 30. — The AL MVP missed eight games with a deep bruise in his left heel.
Howard Megdal / MLB Rumors:
Where Could Alex Gordon Go? — Let's face it: if the Royals aren't going to give Alex Gordon a chance to play regularly when they are 11-21, 10 games out of first, and weeks shy of Memorial Day, he has fallen out of favor with the club. After just 38 plate appearances, the Royals sent Gordon …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Kenneth Lovett / NY Daily News:
Darryl Strawberry bashes Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden for feud with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez — ALBANY - Former Mets and Yankees great Darryl Strawberry brushed back mouthy Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden - and his grandmother - for their cracks on Alex Rodriguez.
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Hillman is failing — Trey Hillman hasn't failed. Not yet, not final, not past tense. There is still hope. — But Hillman is failing. Right now, in Kansas City's conversation and the present tense. Hope is fading, and school's not even out. — The calls for Hillman's job …
Joe Lapointe / Bats:
Citi Field's Garbage Problem — At game time Monday night, the wind at Citi Field blew at 19 miles per hour, strong but not as gusty as it was Saturday and Sunday, when it blew trash in swirls across the field. — But trash was evident in the first inning, and it forced the grounds crew …
Bailey Stephens / MLB.com:
Bourn suspended two games for ump bump — Astros center fielder made contact after out call on close play — Astros center fielder Michael Bourn was suspended by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for two games and fined for aggressive actions in Saturday's game against the Padres.
Discussion:
ESPN
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Morales placed on DL, Francis crisp in Tulsa — Franklin Morales hasn't shown consistent fastball command for two weeks. And last night a reason emerged: shoulder inflammation. Today, the weakness in the left shoulder caused the Rockies to place him on the DL. Edgmer Escalona replaces him.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats all alone in second place in NL East — NEW YORK — Manager Jim Riggleman said before Tuesday's game against the Mets that the Nationals want to make a statement and show they are not a 100-loss team, like they were the previous two years. — They did just that, showing once again …
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Ben Goessling / The Goessling Game:
Plan B bullpen holds up in Nats' 3-2 win
Joe Pawlikowski / FanGraphs Baseball:
Brennan Boesch Swings and Hits — There are few, if any, conclusions we can draw based on a player's first 50 major league plate appearances. In that sample, which covers 12 or 13 games, anything can happen. A player might hit with an inordinate number of men on base. He might face a string of weak pitchers.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Michael McAuliff / NY Daily News:
Elena Kagan, Supreme Court nominee, is a Mets fan — will Yankees fan Justice Sotomayor object? — Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is Mets fan. She better watch out for Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a Yankees fan. — With his nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, President Obama may have ignited a firestorm.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Darren Everson / Wall Street Journal:
A Steep Climb to Immortality — A-Rod as the Ultimate Home-Run King May Not Be a Sure Thing After All — Alex Rodriguez's home-run trots have been infrequent so far this season. Entering Monday's game, he has hit only three round-trippers. — Alex Rodriguez is now seventh …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily