Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ankiel headed to Florida to rehab — NEW YORK — Nationals Manager Jim Riggleman said that outfielder Rick Ankiel went to Viera, Fla., to participate in extended spring training games at the Nationals' Spring Training complex. — Ankiel will be there for a few days and then start …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Zimmermann is OK with being skipped — NEW YORK — With the rainout on Tuesday, the Nationals decided to skip right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and not let him pitch until Sunday against the Orioles. — Zimmermann is not injured, but he is on an innings limit this season, being scheduled to pitch 150 to 160 innings.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Strasburg to pitch on mound soon — NEW YORK — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was in Washington on Tuesday to see an orthopedist. It was a routine checkup on his right elbow, which was found to be sound. — The next step is to pitch off the mound, and general manager Mike Rizzo said that will happen “any day.”
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Rizzo: Harper ‘not ready to play in big leagues’ — NEW YORK — When he was sent to Minor League camp during Spring Training, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper said he would be in the big leagues by July. However, general manager Mike Rizzo told the local media Wednesday that Harper will not play in the Majors this year.
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Source: Yankees considering Posada options — The New York Yankees will reconsider Jorge Posada's future with the team if his numbers don't improve by the All-Star break, according a baseball official with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking. — On Wednedsay, Yankees manager Joe Girardi left Posada …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bronx Baseball Daily, HardballTalk, River Avenue Blues, Pinstripe Alley and NESN.com
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Jorge Posada's feud with Joe Girardi has roots in 2005 disagreements on catching strategy: source — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jorge Posada may have been upset by Joe Girardi's decision to bat him ninth against the Red Sox over the weekend, but the issues between the two go back much further than last Saturday.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, It's About The Money, The Yankee Analysts and HardballTalk
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Jim Callis Draft Chat: May 18 — @Jaypers413 (IL): I enjoyed reading your first Mock Draft. Do you have approximate dates for your second, third and fourth versions? Thanks Jim. — Jim Callis: May 27 (week from Friday) for the next one, then June 3 (Friday before draft) and June 6 (day of draft).
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, SoDo Mojo and River Avenue Blues
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Looming difficult decisions a sign of progress — CHICAGO — Something has to give on the Indians' roster when right-hander Mitch Talbot is ready to come off the disabled list. As far as manager Manny Acta is concerned, it is a sign of progress to have such problems.
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Luke Broadwater / Baltimore Sun:
Teixeira: 'I'll always love Baltimore' — Severna Park native on angry fans, charity, O's ‘bright future’ — When Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira takes the field Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles, he's returning home and entering enemy territory.
Associated Press:
Giants fan Stow opens eyes but remains critical — SAN FRANCISCO — A Giants fan brutally beaten on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium is opening his eyes but remains in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital. — Chief neurosurgeon Dr. Geoff Manley said Wednesday that 42-year-old Bryan Stow …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
2012 Contract Issues: New York Yankees — The Yankees are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series. Here's what the team faces after the 2011 season: — Eligible For Free Agency (6) — In one of the year's biggest surprises, Bartolo Colon's name is all over the leaderboard for free agent starters.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Matsuzaka joining Lackey on disabled list — In a span of roughly 24 hours, the Red Sox lost 40 percent of their rotation. — Daisuke Matsuzaka was diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his right elbow yesterday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today, joining John Lackey.
Discussion:
boston.stats.com and The Soxaholix
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Bad endings for several beloved players — From Ozzie Smith to Sammy Sosa to Ken Griffey Jr., the conclusion was pretty awful — Jorge Posada said he's sorry. He had a “bad day,” and manager Joe Girardi's decision to drop him to ninth in the batting order prompted him to do the previously unthinkable …
Discussion:
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Associated Press:
Berkman gets deciding hit as Cardinals sweep Phillies — ST. LOUIS — Lance Berkman lined a bases-loaded single over a drawn-in outfield with one out in the ninth inning, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the run-starved Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Reds Rally for 7-5 Win Over Sloppy Cubs — CINCINNATI (AP) — Reliever Kerry Wood's throwing error let two runs score and Chris Heisey followed with a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning that sent the Cincinnati Reds over the sloppy Chicago Cubs 7-5 on a wet Tuesday night.
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Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:
Ackley Coming Up “Soon” - Maybe Tomorrow — Yesterday, Jack Zduriencik went on KJR with Mitch Levy and said that Dustin Ackley would be up “sooner than later”. Ackley then proceeded to hit a home run on the first pitch of the Rainiers game today and added a couple of singles as well …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Seattle Mariners blog
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Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times:
Despite red-hot streak at the plate, Dustin Ackley won't be promoted by Mariners just yet
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and U.S.S. Mariner
