Cowboy up: Millar joins NESN  —  During his three seasons with the Red Sox (2003-05), it became clear that affable Kevin Millar would be a natural in the broadcast media once his playing days were complete.  —  The folks at NESN apparently agreed.  The network announced today …

The case against — and the small one for — Jesus Montero  —  I may have already told everyone this story, and if so, I apologize.  But a few years ago, I saved some money and took one of those online classes on baseball scouting.  Mostly, it was reading a bunch of books …

Griffey's RBI single caps M's walkoff win vs. Jays  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Ken Griffey Jr. awakened the slumping Mariners with a game-winning, pinch-hit single to cap Seattle's three-run rally off AL saves leader Kevin Gregg in the ninth with a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

Exclusive: Yankees Sign C Rene Rivera  —  I'm at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ and can exclusively report that the Yankees have signed Camden Riversharks catcher and former big leaguer Rene Rivera to a contract.  He spent parts of 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the Seattle Mariners and spent …

Mark Lerner's batting practice misadventure  —  Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner received stitches this evening after an unfortunate moment during today's batting practice.  —  Lerner, as he occasionally does, was shagging fly balls in full Nationals uniform alongside his team.

Jimenez mauls Astros, but leaves as precaution with leg cramps  —  HOUSTON — Ubaldo Jimenez has become a corny movie script.  Every game is a mismatch like John Rambo vs. Sheriff Will Teasle, or Celine Dion showing up at karaoke contest.  —  On a sweltering Thursday night deep in the heart of Texas …

John Maine Removed From Start Due to Poor Mechanics  —  According to the Mets, while Maine was warming up in the bullpen before the start of tonight's game, pitching coach Dan Warthen noticed Maine's velocity was lower than normal and was concerned about his mechanics as he wasn't using his normal delivery …

Minor League Transactions  —  Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.  —  An asterisk (*) denotes an instance of a player agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with an organization with which he already had a major league agreement.

Melvin backs Macha  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin spoke up Thursday in support of field manager Ken Macha, whose job security has been called into question during a losing streak that reached nine games with Wednesday's loss to the Pirates.  —  “I don't see any reason” …

Memo: MLB Players Have Been Detained at Canadian Border Due to Past Crimes  —  An urgent memo sent today by the MLB Players Association to all player agents warns those representing any non-Canadian players who have any past criminal record, that, “Under Canadian immigration laws …

Strained shoulder to send Zaun to DL  —  PITTSBURGH — Injuries keep biting Brewers veterans.  The latest to go down is catcher Gregg Zaun, who suffered a strained right shoulder in Thursday's win over the Pirates and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

All-Star Red Carpet Show details set  —  MLB Network to air July 13 parade through Anaheim, Disneyland  —  It is an endless parade that started appropriately enough in the Motor City, crossed the Clemente Bridge outside Pittsburgh's PNC Park, wound through the piers alongside San Francisco Bay …

Venable flirts with Padres' first cycle  —  Right fielder falls homer shy with 4-for-5 performance  —  LOS ANGELES — The approach, manager Bud Black told the slumping Will Venable, should be the same in the leadoff spot as it is elsewhere.  —  Batting atop the order for the first time this season …

Strasburg dominant again in latest outing in AAA … ROCHESTER, N.Y. — There really isn't much to add to the Stephen Strasburg hype orchestra.  He's obviously too good to be pitching in Triple A. Working for the Syracuse Chiefs against the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night …