Top News:
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:
MLB.com, Over the Monster, Keep Your Sox On, Surviving Grady, The Joy of Sox, Red Sox Monster, The Bottom Line and ESPN
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
MLB Moves Blue Jay Games to Philly Over G20 Summit Security Concerns — The G20 Summit in Toronto is forcing Major League Baseball — to relocate three games scheduled to be played in Toronto to — THIS IS BREAKING NEWS... Baseball Commissioner Allan H.
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TSN.ca:
LONGORIA LEADS TAMPA BAY OVER ANGELS IN ANAHEIM — The Sports Network — Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Evan Longoria slugged a three-run homer and finished with four RBI, as Tampa Bay halted its longest losing streak of the season at three games with a 7-2 win against the Angels.
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TSN.ca:
DODGERS CLOBBER DIAMONDBACKS' BULLPEN IN ROUT — The Sports Network — Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Russell Martin hit a three-run home run, and Ronnie Belliard added three RBI, as Los Angeles dominated Arizona, 13-3, in the second of a three-game set.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Fox Sports:
MLB says Phillies have been warned — Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer. He is in his 35th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and appears on pre- and postgame shows for Colorado Rockies games on FSN Rocky Mountain. — DENVER
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley
Associated Press:
Reds' Cueto 1-hits Bucs for 1st complete game — PITTSBURGH (AP) — A few more inches, and maybe the ball stays in Paul Janish 's glove. A few more inches, and Johnny Cueto pitches one of the best games in Cincinnati Reds history. — Even if the Pittsburgh Pirates can't imagine him pitching much better.
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.
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.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers patient with Anderson in new role — Veteran working through struggles as pinch-hitter — PHOENIX — Garret Anderson is batting .122 and is 0-for-13 against left-handed pitching, but Dodgers management is sticking with him as he tries to reinvent himself as a pinch-hitter after a career as an everyday player.
Discussion:
Memories Of Kevin Malone
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
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Matsuzaka sparkles in 6-1 Boston win over Toronto — BOSTON—Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed three hits in seven innings and the Boston Red Sox capitalized on more wildness by Toronto Blue Jays pitchers for a 6-1 win Tuesday night. — Matsuzaka struck out nine and allowed just three runners …
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
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.
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.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Mets 8, Nationals 6: Chris Carter Helps Power Mets' Six-Run Rally — During spring training, Mets Manager Jerry Manuel nicknamed Chris Carter the Animal because Carter arrived for work by 7 a.m. and displayed relentless desire. — On Tuesday, after being called up from Class AAA Buffalo, Carter showed up early at Citi Field.
Discussion:
Bats
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 …
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 …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Clock may be ticking on Blalock — If the Rays were considering Hank Blalock as a potential replacement for struggling DH Pat Burrell, they may have to decide soon. — Agent Scott Boras indicated Tuesday that Blalock would activate the out clause in his Triple-A contract within the next week …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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