Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Zimmerman jogs for first time since injury — WASHINGTON — Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain, said he jogged for the first time Friday at Nationals Park. — However, there isn't any timetable for when he will be able to resume baseball activities.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ankiel's recovery from wrist injury going slowly — WASHINGTON — Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel is slowly recovering from a right wrist injury and is not expected to come off the disabled list Wednesday. — Ankiel has been able to hit off a tee, but he has yet to take batting practice.
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
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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:
HardballTalk and Boston Globe
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:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
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
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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, baseballmusings.com, Yahoo! Sports and Batter's Box Interactive …
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 …
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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:
Bucs Dugout and Baseball America
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:
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
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
