VALENTINO PASCUCCI SIGNED BY NEW YORK METS ORGANIZATION  —  Camden's Designated Hitter to Report to New York's AAA Affiliate  —  The Camden Riversharks announced today that designated hitter, Valentino Pascucci has signed a contract with the New York Mets organization.

Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg no-hits Class AAA Norfolk Tides over six innings  —  SYRACUSE, N.Y. — There is no higher class of minor leagues left for Stephen Strasburg, so what happens now?  Let him face robots in the bullpen?  Make him throw left-handed?

Royals Fire Trey Hillman  —  The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (via Twitter).  Former Brewers manager Ned Yost will take over the club.  The 12-23 Royals already trail the first place Twins by 10.5 games in the AL Central.

Phillies Accused of Using Illegal Methods to Steal Signs  —  The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the best teams in baseball over the last two seasons, capturing two straight National League pennants and the 2008 World Series.  Now, they are dealing with accusations that they are …

Dale Scott's strike zone in detail  —  The folks from Brooks Baseball published this Pitch F/X data on the strikes called by Dale Scott today and a reader called it to our attention.  —  The red triangles are the pitches Scott called strikes thrown by the Blue Jays.

Bradley making progress  —  BALTIMORE — Left fielder Milton Bradley could rejoin the team at some point during the Mariners' next homestand, manager Don Wakamatsu said on Wednesday.  —  Bradley has been on the restricted list since May 5 with stress-related issues.  —  “I think everything is going well,” Wakamatsu said.

Clubhouse notes: Cruz back, catcher talk  —  ARLINGTON — Nelson Cruz proclaimed himself healthy and ready to return to the lineup as he spoke to reporters before Thursday's game.  He played in two full games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this week and his hamstring feels good.

Scripting Griffey's final chapter  —  Mariners' dilemma is figuring out the right thing to do with the aging, unproductive icon  —  His average hovers around the Mendoza Line (.200).  His slugging percentage (.225) looks way too much like his area code (206).  —  He's been outhomered by Yovani Gallardo (1-0).

As the (Aaron) Crow Flies  —  While perusing the Royals' organizational chart the other day, I realized that it's been quite some time since I've heard anything about Aaron Crow.  The right-hander, you'll recall, was the ninth overall pick by the Washington Nationals during the 2008 draft.

Bud Selig ignores demands to move 2011 All-Star Game  —  NEW YORK — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is ignoring calls to move next year's All-Star Game from Phoenix because of Arizona's new immigration law.  —  Asked about such demands at a news conference Thursday following an owners meeting …

Perception not reality for White Sox bats  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Greg Walker holds a different perspective on offense, and that altered outlook has nothing to do with his team's early-season struggles with the bat.  —  “Here we sit and there are some ugly numbers out there …

Brendan Ryan's struggles continue — on the field, at the plate  —  The two-pronged slump gripping Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan — he is one for his last 23 and has made five errors in his last three games — continued, if not deepened, Wednesday night.  But Ryan thought after the Cardinals' 9-6 loss …

Torrealba delivers against Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The question has been asked before of Yorvit Torrealba, though he has yet to develop a response that comes remotely close to explaining why he has been so good at knocking in runners in scoring position.