Top News:
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Riggleman sees more playing time for Ramos — ATLANTA — Wilson Ramos and Pudge Rodriguez will continue splitting time behind the plate, but Nationals manager Jim Riggleman plans to give the rookie more and more playing time. — “Even though Pudge is playing very well …
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Desmond, Werth come up big in ninth, Nats beat Braves in 11 — ATLANTA — Ian Desmond hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the 11th inning, Jayson Werth followed with a two-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Nix showing value with increased playing time — ATLANTA — When Braves pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad flirted with a ninth-inning homer Tuesday night, it was a potential painful flashback for Laynce Nix. — The last time that Nix had played at Turner Field, Conrad hit a pinch-hit grand slam …
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Gaudin's return to bullpen uncertain — ATLANTA — Chad Gaudin was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, but the right-hander's status hasn't changed and his place in the bullpen appears in doubt when his shoulder does feel well enough to pitch.
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Werth's big homer a sign of progress — ATLANTA — Jayson Werth's three-run homer on Tuesday night off the Braves' Tim Hudson was more than just a big hit in a significant Nationals victory. It was a sign that the Nationals' prized offseason acquisition may be ready to come out of his early-season funk.
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Angels' Morales needs surgery, out for season — ANAHEIM — The Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday that first baseman Kendrys Morales will undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle. — Morales met with an ankle specialist in Colorado Monday and, after consulting with Angels trainers and doctors …
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Associated Press:
Angels' Morales Needs More Surgery, Out for Season — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels first baseman Kendrys Morales won't play this season after deciding to undergo another surgery on his left ankle, leaving a huge hole in the middle of Los Angeles' lineup for the second straight season.
Serge F. Kovaleski / New York Times:
Disputed Surgery Used in Colon's Comeback — BOCA RATON, Fla. — A year ago, Bartolo Colon, once one of major league baseball's more durable starting pitchers, looked close to the end of the line: he had struggled with injuries after 2005, and elbow surgery had kept him out of baseball for the entire 2010 season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
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Portada Diario Libre:
Stem cells give life to the arm of Bartolo Colon — SANTIAGO. The fact that baseball players are the most recognizable product of Dominican manufacturing is nothing new. The fact that from now on they will be used to show and promote the advances reached by Dominican doctors is a great possibility.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, NESN.com and River Avenue Blues
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Padres 'Pen Continues To Thrive After Winter Trades — Bullpens don't get much better than the one the Padres had last year. Led by Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Luke Gregerson, Padres relievers combined for over 500 innings of 2.81 ERA ball, averaging more than one strikeout per inning …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Associated Press:
Padres offence explodes in win over Brewers — MILWAUKEE - Cameron Maybin drove in the go-ahead runs and Ryan Ludwick homered in an eight-run eighth inning after the San Diego Padres had already squandered one big lead in a 13-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Ian Begley / ESPN:
Ex-clubhouse head indicted for taking Mets gear — NEW YORK - Former New York Mets clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels was indicted on charges that he criminally possessed nearly $2.3 million worth of game-used Mets memorabilia — including signed jerseys, bats and baseballs …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Mets Merized Online
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Thomas Zambito / NY Daily News:
Charlie Samuels, former Mets clubhouse manager, arrested for alleged $2.3M equipment theft
Charlie Samuels, former Mets clubhouse manager, arrested for alleged $2.3M equipment theft
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yanks: No plan to discuss CC's opt-out clause — In keeping with the New York Yankees policy in recent years, the team has no plans to talk with CC Sabathia before the end of the season about the opt-out clause in his contract, general manager Brian Cashman said on Wednesday afternoon.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Kuroda Pitches Dodgers Past Pirates, 2-0 — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Hiroki Kuroda allowed just three hits over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Wednesday night. — Kuroda (4-3) struck out eight and walked three as the Dodgers won back-to-back games for the first time in three weeks.
Associated Press:
Chris Tillman, Adam Jones lead Orioles past Mariners 4-2 — BALTIMORE - Chris Tillman pitched six innings of three-hit ball, Adam Jones went 4 for 4 with two RBIs, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Wednesday night.
MLB.com:
Yankees Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan to Retire at Conclusion of 2011 Season — The New York Yankees announced today that Head Athletic Trainer Gene Monahan, who is the longest-tenured employee in the Yankees organization, will retire at the conclusion of the 2011 season after 49 years of continuous service.
Discussion:
It's About The Money, The Yankee Analysts and WasWatching.com
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
A great story about Joe Torre, Pedro Guerrero and fraternization — Joe Torre caused a little bit of a stir earlier this week when ESPN's Buster Olney reported that MLB's new enforcer was looking to limit fraternization between members of opposing teams. — Torre's new initiative brought a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.
Discussion:
It's About The Money
Jordan Bastian / Major League Bastian:
Sizemore has MRI on right knee — CLEVELAND — Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore was not in the lineup and away from the ballpark on Wednesday afternoon. — Sizemore left Progressive Field a few hours prior to Wednesday's game against the Rays to undergo an MRI exam on his right knee.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
WAKE WON'T RULE OUT PLAYING FOR ANOTHER TEAM — TORONTO — Tim Wakefield, who will become the oldest player in Red Sox history to participate in a game with the next pitch he throws, talked Tuesday night about the chance he might play for another organization. — “It depends on the situation.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Bluebird Banter, Over the Monster, HardballTalk and The House That Dewey Built
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Frank McCourt will seek owners' support, but shouldn't expect it — He will need votes from seven others to keep the Dodgers as he faces missing payroll. But he doesn't have deep relationships with fellow owners to count on in crisis. — There will be pleasantries. How was your flight?
Discussion:
6-4-2, HardballTalk and Los Angeles Times
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Justin Verlander / Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers' monitor Freeman has conflict of interest
Dodgers' monitor Freeman has conflict of interest
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and MLB Rumors