Top News:
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Clemens to Be Indicted for Perjury in Doping Testimony — Federal authorities have decided to indict Roger Clemens on charges of making false statements to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to two people briefed on the matter. — An announcement is expected shortly.
George Von Benko / MLB.com:
JJ returns to form as Marlins best Bucs — PITTSBURGH — Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson and Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf hooked up in a pitchers' duel on Wednesday night at PNC Park. The Marlins prevailed 3-2. — Johnson bounced back from his worst outing of the season …
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED:
Alan Robinson / Yahoo! Sports:
Johnson pitches Marlins past Pirates 3-2
Johnson pitches Marlins past Pirates 3-2
Discussion:
Associated Press
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cardinals Acquire Pedro Feliz — The Cardinals acquired Pedro Feliz and cash from the Astros for pitcher David Carpenter, according to Astros director of social media Alyson Footer (on Twitter). Feliz, 35, has a .221/.243/.311 line this season with four homers in 304 plate appearances.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and The Crawfish Boxes
Chicago Breaking Sports:
Ozzie fires back at critics over Thome's departure — Jim Thome acknowledges the crowd's cheers. (REUTERS / Eric Miller) — MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen fired back at critics who still can't stomach the departure of Jim Thome, who hit a two-run walkoff home run Tuesday night …
Discussion:
South Side Sox and A Fan's View
RELATED:
Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Livan Hernandez's unique season rolls on — The statistical cocktail brewed up by Livan Hernandez this year is becoming more and more remarkable all the time. Last night, he allowed nine hits and walked two and struck out one. Of course, then, he surrendered two earned runs in seven innings …
Discussion:
The Goessling Game, Washington Post, The Nationals Enquirer and SB Nation DC
RELATED:
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Franchise Player — A few weeks ago, I was asked …
The Franchise Player — A few weeks ago, I was asked …
Discussion:
William World News, Baseball Daily Digest, SB Nation DC and ESPN
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates agree to terms with Mexican pitcher Heredia — The Pirates early this morning agreed to terms with 16-year-old pitching prospect Luis Heredia of Mexico on a $2.6 million bonus, the biggest payout in franchise history for an international amateur. — In Mexico, the team owning …
Discussion:
Baseball America, MLB Rumors, Fanhouse MLB Blog and MLB Daily Dish
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Open for discussion: Beltre's future — Adrian Beltre is on a pace that would see him finish the season with 31 homers and 112 RBIs. He is hitting .328 and has a Red Sox-approved OBP of .366. — The guy is a wizard at third base, plays hurt and plays hard every second he's on the field.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Over the Monster, Full Count and NESN.com
RELATED:
External / ESPN:
Lackey, Red Sox look to stay perfect vs. Angels
Lackey, Red Sox look to stay perfect vs. Angels
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Boston Globe, Yahoo! Sports and Halos Heaven
TSN.ca:
BLUE JAYS SEND ARENCIBIA DOWN TO TRIPLE-A LAS VEGAS — The Toronto Blue Jays optioned rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia back to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday following their 5-4 loss to the Oakland A's. — The move had been planned to coincide with the return of catcher John Buck …
RELATED:
Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Heyward's hit gives Braves another last at-bat win — ATLANTA—The Atlanta Braves did it again in their final at-bat, beating the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Jason Heyward's run-scoring single in the ninth inning Wednesday night. — The Braves won for the 21st time in their final swing, which leads the majors.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Talking Chop
RELATED:
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Derrek Lee to Braves?
Source: Derrek Lee to Braves?
Discussion:
The700Level.com, Bowman's Blog, MLB Daily Dish and csnchicago.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Braves Acquire Derrek Lee For Three Prospects
Braves Acquire Derrek Lee For Three Prospects
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Mark Bradley, Baseball America, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Phillies Nation and Talking Chop
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Venezuela's Chávez Has Advice for Rodriguez — From one famous Venezuelan to another came a reassuring phone call this week. — Venezuela's president, Hugo Chávez, a fan and a friend of the embattled Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, said he reached out on Sunday to the pitcher known in his native country as El Kid.
Discussion:
SPORTSbyBROOKS
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB must deal with big issues
MLB must deal with big issues
Discussion:
Associated Press, ESPN, Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
THE NEWS KEEPS COMING — News Item: DOPE HEAD FORESEES BASEBALL'S DOOM Maybe that should be “head doper,” but John Fahey has said such dopey things “dope head” it shall be. John Fahey is the chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the body of steroids zealots who have appointed themselves …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Bernardo Fallas / Houston Chronicle:
Lindstrom placed on 15-day DL — Lindstrom goes on DL — The Astros placed righthander Matt Lindstrom on the 15-day disabled list following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Mets. — “We need to get him right,” Astros manager Brad Mills said. — Lindstrom is coming off three rough outings …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's … and Sliding Into Home
Associated Press:
Reds rally for 11-7 win over D'Backs — PHOENIX—Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey laid down a perfect squeeze bunt, driving in Jim Edmonds with the go-ahead run from third base with one out in the top of the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit and Red Reporter
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Sox, Cuban prospect Ibarra renegotiated deal after failed physical — According to industry sources, Red Sox catcher Adalberto Ibarra signed a minor league deal for a bonus in line with a late-sandwich pick in the draft, between $700,000 and $800,000. — Ibarra had originally agreed …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Over the Monster
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Mets outlast Astros 3-2 in 14 innings — HOUSTON—Jose Reyes matched a season high with four hits and scored on a sacrifice fly by slumping Ike Davis in the 14th inning to give the New York Mets a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. — After Geoff Blum hit a tying home run …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Amazin' Avenue
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies' Hawpe clears waivers; likely last game with team — After clearing waivers with the Rockies, will Brad Hawpe be traded? (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post) — LOS ANGELES — As predicted, Brad Hawpe cleared waivers today, a procedural move that has set the stage for the Rockies to release Hawpe either tonight or tomorrow.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, The Goessling Game, Nats Triple Play, Purple Row and Lone Star Ball