MLB Confidential: The Financial Documents Baseball Doesn't Want You To See, Part 1  —  We've obtained financial statements for a number of baseball teams — containing perhaps some of the most closely guarded information in sports — and they offer a rare glimpse at how MLB franchises do brisk business in the modern era.

Johnny Damon Claimed By Unknown Team  —  1:00pm: Damon has been claimed by an unknown team, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The Tigers now have two days to make a trade with the claiming team, hand the player over with no return, or pull him back.  SI's Jon Heyman tweets that he believes …

Morrow gets the call for Jays' opener against Yankees  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Ivan Nova makes his first major league start this evening, when the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.  —  Nova, who pitched three scoreless innings …

Brewers Release David Riske  —  The Brewers released reliever David Riske, according to the team's Twitter feed.  Riske has about $1MM remaining in 2010 salary, plus a $250K buyout for 2011.  The Brewers will be on the hook for that minus the prorated league minimum if Riske signs elsewhere.

Free Talent  —  Yesterday, the Giants were awarded Cody Ross on a waiver claim, likely made to keep the Marlins from being able to ship him to San Diego.  They didn't need another outfielder, but they got stuck with him when Florida just let him go, and so they had to clear a roster spot.

Does Good Pitching “Always” Beat Good Hitting?  —  I've attempted to prove or disprove a lot of theories on UFR over the last (almost) two years.  “Good pitching always beats good hitting” is one that is espoused as though it were the synonymous with “Cows eat grass.”  But, is it the truth?

Lowell still likely to retire after 2010  —  After the Red Sox' 5-0 win on Sunday, Mike Lowell was asked about whether anything had changed about his expectation that the 2010 season will be his last (a prospect that he first suggested in April).  Lowell suggested that he still anticipated this season as his final one.

Mets waive goodbye to Rod Barajas as Josh Thole becomes primary catcher  —  PITTSBURGH - It was spring at Citi Field, the Mets were storming to the front of the standings, and Rod Barajas was crushing home runs.  —  “Things started out great,” Barajas said.  “It was an exciting time for us.”

Bisons Drop Two to PawSox  —  Turner, Martinez injured in doubleheader loss  —  The potent Bisons lineup took a hit shortly before and also shortly after first pitch on Sunday afternoon.  And the day didn't get much better after that.  —  Jesus Feliciano was recalled by the Mets just prior …