Top News:
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays designate Burrell, promote Blalock — Move gives Rays more flexibility at designated hitter — ST. PETERSBURG — Pat Burrell never turned out to be “The Bat” his nickname suggested, which prompted the Rays to make a move to bolster their offense Saturday.
Discussion:
Bats
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Tony Fabrizio / tboblogs.com:
Blalock in, Burrell out — By TONY FABRIZIO — ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays today have designated DH Pat Burrell for assignment and promoted two-time All-Star Hank Blalock from Triple-A Durham. — Burrell, a high-profile free agent signing before last season, was batting .202 with two home runs …
Joseph Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Friedman: Blalock's contract situation not a factor in call-up
Friedman: Blalock's contract situation not a factor in call-up
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees set rotation for the week — The Yankees have announced their rotation for the next week, with Javier Vazquez once again having his turn skipped, this time leaving the Yankees top four pitchers to face the Red Sox and Rays. Vazquez will make his next start in the series opener against the Mets.
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Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Javier Vazquez's next start for the New York Yankees will be skipped
Javier Vazquez's next start for the New York Yankees will be skipped
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog
David Waldstein / Bats:
Reyes to Bat Leadoff, Pagan Third — 2:43 p.m. | Updated MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jose Reyes will be back in his familiar leadoff role for Saturday night's game against the Florida Marlins, and Angel Pagan, who has been hitting first, will move the No. 3 spot.
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
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Adam Rubin / ESPN:
New York Mets' Jose Reyes bats leadoff against Florida Marlins
New York Mets' Jose Reyes bats leadoff against Florida Marlins
Discussion:
Mets360.com
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
New York Yankees' Nick Johnson may have surgery, Brian Cashman says — Yankees designated hitter Nick Johnson is unlikely to return to action before the first week of June, and in fact may not play again before August. — According to GM Brian Cashman, Johnson's sore right wrist …
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Yanks' Nick Johnson Is Facing Wrist Surgery — Nick Johnson, the Yankees' often-injured designated hitter, may require surgery on his right wrist, General Manager Brian Cashman said Saturday. — Johnson, who went on the disabled list May 8 with what was called an inflamed tendon …
Associated Press:
Jays' Romero stumps Rangers with 12-K shutout — TORONTO (AP) — Ricky Romero decided to try a simpler approach after struggling in his previous start. — The result was his first career shutout. — Romero struck out 12 while throwing a five-hitter, Jose Bautista hit two home runs …
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Larry Millson / MLB.com:
Blue Jays storm back with five homers
Blue Jays storm back with five homers
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Ethier breaks bone in right pinkie — SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers have lost Andre Ethier at least through Sunday and possibly much longer after the hot-hitting right fielder, who leads the National League in all three Triple Crown categories, broke a small bone in the little finger …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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TSN.ca:
JOHNSON, DREW HELP ARIZONA TO OUTBURST AGAINST BRAVES — The Sports Network — Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Rodrigo Lopez threw eight strong innings and Kelly Johnson burned his former team with a homer and two RBI in Arizona's 11-1 win over Atlanta, as the Diamondbacks snapped their seven-game skid.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Tigers might try Guillen in infield — Carlos Guillen might spend some time in the infield during his upcoming injury rehabilitation assignment, Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski told FOXSports.com on Saturday. — If Guillen proves that he can play the infield …
Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER:
Taveras DFA'd, Morse activated — DENVER — The Nationals designated outfielder Willy Taveras for assignment following tonight's 4-3 loss to the Rockies and announced outfielder Mike Morse will be activated off the 15-day disabled list tomorrow. — Taveras' time had been numbered for a while.
TSN.ca:
RALLY IN NINTH LEADS INDIANS OVER ORIOLES — The Sports Network — Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Austin Kearns belted a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Cleveland Indians rallied with eight runs in the ninth to topple the Baltimore Orioles, 8-2, in the second of three games at Camden Yards.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe!
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Pearce has nothing more than tight tendon — Disabled list stint will be unnecessary for Pirates slugger — CHICAGO — Steve Pearce called it a “sigh of relief” to learn that the pop he felt behind his right knee during Friday's win was nothing more than some tightness near his tendon.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals' bats stopped by Jimenez in Game 1 — Hernandez throws six innings; Bruney tagged for three runs — DENVER — On April 22, Nationals right-hander Livan Hernandez and Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez found themselves in a pitchers' duel, with Jimenez winning the battle at Nationals Park.