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.
RELATED:
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:
Blalock could join Rays today — Though the Rays can't confirm anything at this point, it appears that Hank Blalock will be joining the team at Tropicana Field today when they face the Mariners. — Blalock, a two-time All-Star, had no big-league offers when he signed with the Rays during spring training …
Joseph Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Friedman: Blalock's contract situation not a factor in call-up — Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said the decision to call up Hank Blalock gives them more positional flexibility, and that with Willy Aybar hitting well against lefties, a left-handed bat “fit us better.”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Rangers' Romero whiffs 12 Jays for first shutout — TORONTO (AP) — Ricky Romero struck out 12 in his first career shutout, Jose Bautista hit two home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Saturday. — Romero (4-1) allowed just five singles and walked one.
RELATED:
Larry Millson / MLB.com:
Blue Jays storm back with five homers
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
David Waldstein / Bats:
Reyes to Bat Leadoff, Pagan Third — 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. — The complete lineup for the game has not been posted yet …
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
RELATED:
External / ESPN:
Reyes back at leadoff — New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes …
Discussion:
Mets360.com
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
Yankees shift rotation, skip starter Javier Vazquez again … NEW YORK - The wait is over. — Well, unless you are Javier Vazquez. — On Saturday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced the pitching schedule for the coming week following a 7-1 victory over Minnesota. Sergio Mitre will make a spot start on Sunday.
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 36: Yankees vs. Twins — YANKEES (23-12) — TWINS (22-13) — UMPIRES: HP Tim Timmons, 1B Tim Tschida, 2B Bob Davidson, 3B Alfonso Marquez — WEATHER: Perfectly beautiful day here in the Bronx. Great day for a game. — Sorry for the lack of pregame notes.
RELATED:
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.
Mike Puma / NY Post:
Don't hold your breath on Oswalt — Roy Oswalt's name is out there as a potential reinforcement for a team in need of pitching help, but don't expect the Mets to inquire. — Oswalt, the Astros right-hander, recently said he's willing to waive his no-trade clause if Houston wants to deal him.
Daniel Brown / Mercury News:
Soft landing for Byrnes in Menlo Park — Eric Byrnes' game didn't start until 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, which explains why at 7:20 p.m. he was walking through a Menlo Park eatery with a pitcher of beer in each hand. — Such a late start required that The Dutch Goose slow-pitch softball players …
Discussion:
Mariners blog
