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 …

Braddock not joining Brewers  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  I just spoke with Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash and he said left-handed reliever Zach Braddock will not be called up from Class AAA Nashville to join the Brewers today.

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.

Scutaro should be OK; Schoeneweis released  —  BOSTON — Manager Terry Francona said shortstop Marco Scutaro was responding well to the cortisone shot he received on Wednesday in his left elbow.  —  “I think he's doing OK,” Francona said.  “He was a little tender [Wednesday] night, which I think happens.

Oswalt requests trade from last-place Astros  —  The July 31 trading deadline is more than two months away, but one of baseball's best pitchers has asked to be put on the market.  —  Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt, a three-time National League All-Star, has asked owner Drayton McLane Jr. to be traded, a source said Friday.

Prospect Jones clears final paperwork hurdle  —  Dominican 16-year-old will serve suspension, then start playing  —  SEATTLE — San Diego director of player development Randy Smith said on Friday that Duanel Jones was well worth the wait.  —  Smith said that Jones, a 16-year-old third base prospect …

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.

Angelos says Nats' success is good for O's  —  MASN buoyed by winning Nats, which makes him happy, Angelos says  —  His Orioles are struggling, but team owner Peter Angelos said Thursday that “it's a very good thing” for his club that the Washington Nationals are generating excitement …

Dodgers release righty hurler Towers  —  LOS ANGELES — Triple-A Albuquerque pitcher Josh Towers was granted his release by the Dodgers and replaced in the rotation by Seth Etherton, a first-round pick of the Angels in 1998 out of USC.  —  Towers was 2-5 with an 8.05 ERA at Albuquerque …

Myrtle Beach Trio To Sit Out 50 Games  —  Three members of the Braves' high Class A Myrtle Beach affiliate have been suspended for 50 games, according to a press release issued today by Major League Baseball.  Each player tested positive for an amphetamine, a performance-enhancing substance.

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 …