Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Righty reliever Nelson might retire — BOSTON — With Jonathan Papelbon back on the roster on Friday, the Red Sox designated veteran righty Joe Nelson for assignment. Nelson (9.72 ERA in eight outings) admitted he knew the move was coming because of his ineffectiveness.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Gill defends treatment of Ellsbury — Red Sox medical director Dr. Thomas Gill defended the team's handling of Jacoby Ellsbury, using the forum of a conference call with reporters to address what he called “misconceptions.” — According to Gill, Ellsbury was “given the absolute standard …
Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Cubs manager Piniella criticizes baseball analyst — CHICAGO—Cubs manager Lou Piniella criticized longtime Chicago baseball analyst Steve Stone for questioning how he's handling prized rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin. — Piniella took exception Friday to recent comments Stone …
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Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Mount Lou erupts: Frustrated Piniella rips White Sox broadcaster — For those of us who pay close attention to Lou Piniella's day-to-day press conferences, it was evident that his fatigue and exasperation would likely boil over one day and result in a trademark eruption.
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Sports Illustrated:
Diamondbacks brass keeping options open to turn team around … The Diamondbacks' honchos met much of Thursday, and they are meeting at length again today. So far, they all can agree on one thing: there's a lot to talk about. — Hard as it is for Arizona's baseball leaders or anyone else to believe …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
D'Backs Meeting To Consider Major Moves — The D'Backs will consider trading anyone but Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy, as they evaluate the best way to turn the team around, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Heyman hears that owner Ken Kendrick, president Derrick Hall and GM Josh Byrnes …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox-Phillies game updates — Top 9th: Red Sox 12, Phillies 2 — Game over. Actually this game ended after one inning when the Sox scored five, followed by four more in the second inning and three in the third. A 17-hit Sox attack and a strong 7 innings by John Lackey …
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Jon Krawczynski / Associated Press:
Liriano out-duels Hudson as Twins beat Braves 2-1 — MINNEAPOLIS—Francisco Liriano struck out a season-high 11 batters to edge Tim Hudson in a dazzling pitchers' duel as the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Friday night. — Liriano (6-3) allowed five hits in eight innings …
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Jon Krawczynski / Associated Press:
Betemit hits 2 HRs, Royals beat Twins 9-8
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Lincecum gets back on track for powerful Giants — SAN FRANCISCO—Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead two-run homer in his Giants home debut back in his native Bay Area, helping Tim Lincecum end a four-start winless streak and lead San Francisco past the Oakland Athletics 6-2 on Friday night in the Bay Bridge Series.
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Sanchez & Sanchez lead Marlins past Rays 14-9 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Anibal Sanchez pitched seven solid innings and Gaby Sanchez homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs Friday night, leading the Florida Marlins to a 14-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of the Citrus Series.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie, Ken in spite club — It became obvious Thursday that there won't be a pretty ending. — After the White Sox' 3-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers, the Sun-Times was told by a team source that general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen “almost came to blows in a heated shouting match” …
Mctaggart / Tag's Lines:
Foltynewicz, Astros reach deal on bonus — The Astros have reached an agreement on a signing bonus with first-round Draft pick Mike Foltynewicz worth $1.3 million, his advisor Bobby Witt told MLB.com on Friday. — Foltynewicz, the hard-throwing right-handed pitcher the Astros selected …
