Top News:
Johnette Howard / ESPN:
Yankees don't look ready for Red Sox — With Boston coming to Bronx, bumbling Bombers blown out by Kansas City Royals — NEW YORK — The way they dove to snag ground-ball smashes and sprinted from gap to gap all night long to take away base hits, the way they batted around in the second inning …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Beyond the Box Score, Over the Monster, Surviving Grady, Pinstripe Alley and WasWatching.com
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Bondy: Girardi hoping for BoSox boost — The Yankee-Red Sox rivalry never dies, but it has cooled to a hypothermic state best described as dormant. — That's what we get Friday, when Boston arrives in the Bronx with a sub-.500 record, a pitching staff ranked 12th in the American League and a very recent history of non-contention.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and HardballTalk
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Russell Martin's new beginning in NY — Former All-Star catcher finds love for baseball again after fading in Los Angeles — NEW YORK — Long after a game ends and their Yankees teammates have either gone out or gone to sleep, A.J. Burnett and Russell Martin are often tucked away in their suburban homes …
Discussion:
Pinstriped Bible … and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
McLane: Astros have deal to sell to Crane — Houston owner hopes to have agreement signed next week — HOUSTON — Astros owner Drayton McLane confirmed Friday afternoon he has an agreement in place to sell the team to a group led by Houston businessman Jim Crane and hoped to be able to sign …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
Gene Sapakoff / The Post and Courier, Charleston SC:
Tale of salvation: Formerly a tormented teen, RiverDogs star and top Yankee prospect Slade Heathcott has turned his life around — Slade Heathcott aimed the shotgun at his father. — “I was ready to do it,” the Charleston RiverDogs' 20-year-old millionaire center fielder said. “Had my finger on the trigger.”
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, The Yankee Analysts, River Avenue Blues and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Jon Cooper / MLB.com:
Sweet! Harper's hitting streak hits 16 games — ATLANTA — The beat goes on for Bryce Harper. — The Nationals' first-round Draft pick singled in the third inning on Thursday night to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. — Harper lined a single to right field off Delmarva Shorebirds …
RELATED:
Canadian Press:
Former Blue Jays pitching coach Mel Queen dies — TORONTO — Mel Queen, the Toronto Blue Jays former pitching coach and manager who rejoined the organization in 2008 at its player development senior advisor, has died. He was 69. — The cause of death was not divulged.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Yahoo! Sports and Batter's Box Interactive …
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Who will Pirates take No. 1 overall in Draft? — Bucs' selection draws intrigue with no clear-cut top pick this year — As exciting as the past two First-Year Player Drafts have been, who the No. 1 pick would be had all the drama and intrigue of a trip to the accountant.
Discussion:
Baseball America and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Dempster strikes out a season-high 11, Cubs beat Giants — CHICAGO — Ryan Dempster struck out a season-high 11 and snapped a six-game Wrigley Field losing streak to help the Chicago Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants 11-4 Friday. — Dempster (2-4) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jim Armstrong / Denver Post:
Rockies send down 3B Ian Stewart, welcome back Ty Wigginton — Ian Stewart packed his bags and left the Rockies' clubhouse en route for Colorado Springs. But this time was different from the last time. Much different. — Stewart was optioned to Triple A on April 19 to work on his swing.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Associated Press:
Mariners claim reliever Gray on waivers from White Sox — CLEVELAND — The Seattle Mariners have claimed right-hander reliever Jeff Gray off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. — Gray is expected to join the club on Saturday, when the Mariners will have to make another move to get him on their roster.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: May 4-10 — Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. — Arizona Diamondbacks — Released: LHP Ron Mahay — Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Barry Enright
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Dodgers bring back INF Castro, option DeJesus — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of Juan Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, marking the start of the veteran utility infielder's fourth stint with the club that originally signed him as a free agent out of Mexico 20 years ago.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Memories Of Kevin Malone
Sports Illustrated:
Underperforming pitchers … Tom Verducci breaks down three big-name starters who have not lived up to expectations this year. — It's official: The Rockies no longer have an ace. It's not Ubaldo Jimenez right now — not the way he's pitching. A team doesn't go 0-9 behind its ace …
Discussion:
Denver Post
