Quote: John Maine is a Habitual Liar  —  Dan Warthen, on pulling John Maine after five pitches during last night's start said: … ...habitual liar... lovely... ugh... seriously, it's always something with this team... it is remarkable... how they do not have a reality show about them is beyond me …

Matsui on radar, Red Sox keep eye on Iannetta; Jimenez is fine  —  HOUSTON — When contenders have weak spots, they naturally pop up in roster talk.  Spoke to a major league source tonight who said that the Rockies would have interest in second baseman Kazuo Matsui when he clears waivers.

Ellsbury to rejoin Sox on Saturday  —  Terry Francona said after the game tonight that Jacoby Ellsbury will join the Red Sox in Philadelphia and “probably” be activated on Saturday.  —  Ellsbury played in three minor-league games, going 4 for 10 with two walks and a stolen base.

Zaun expected to hit DL; Lucroy coming up  —  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.

Seething Ortiz boils over  —  In pregame rant, he blasts his critics  —  The smile is largely gone these days, the locker now a refuge instead of a stage.  It used to be a beacon, drawing in teammates and media to a back corner of the Red Sox clubhouse filled with the bulk of David Ortiz …

Answer Man: Charlie Manuel talks Mantle, Japan and wrestling  —  It took a while, but Charlie Manuel and the city of Philadelphia have developed quite a love affair.  Part of the thaw in relations had to do with the Phillies winning the World Series in 2008, of course, but another factor is Manuel's irrepressible personality.

JAYS AND DIAMONDBACKS BRING BIG BATS TO THE DESERT  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Arizona fans at Chase Field are used to watching the ball leave the park at a rapid pace.  That isn't likely to change with Toronto in town.  —  Two of the top three home run hitting teams …

Prospect Hot Sheet: May 21  —  Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)  —  Why He's Here: .375/.467/.782, (9-for-24), 6 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO.  —  The Scoop: The only race in which the Indians are still alive is for the distinction of being baseball's most disappointing team …

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.

Going to Yankee Stadium?  Don't Bring Your iPad!  —  This weekend is an exciting one here in NYC - the Subway Series comes to Citi Field.  The matchup is between the Mets and the Yankees.  Naturally the Yankees will prevail and Mets fans will, once again, wonder if their team will hit .500 for the season.

GM Williams needs to be honest about Sox' plight  —  Wednesday was just wrong in so many ways — the big ol' batch of Kool-Aid that White Sox general manager Ken Williams stirred with his hand, the way media members slurped it up.  —  The only thing missing was the juggling clown off to the side to distract from the obvious.

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 …