Top News:
Steven Miller / MLB.com:
Gorzelanny likely to return to Nats on Sunday — WASHINGTON — The Nationals optioned right-hander Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, a day after his fourth start in place of Tom Gorzelanny. The Nationals will likely activate Gorzelanny from the 15-day disabled list Sunday for his start.
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Steven Miller / MLB.com:
Nationals bolster 'pen by recalling Balester — WASHINGTON — Collin Balester was only one hole into the back nine Wednesday afternoon, trying to play a round of golf on Triple-A Syracuse's day off, and received the call: He would be returning to the Nationals for that night's game.
Steven Miller / MLB.com:
LaRoche out for season with torn labrum
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Prince Fielder would consider Cubs in free agency — Despite a rivalry with the Cubs that has at times seemed personal, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder said Tuesday he hasn't ruled out the Cubs as a possible destination if he reaches free agency this fall.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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ESPN:
Report: Fielder won't rule out playing for Cubs — With the Chicago Cubs sporting one of the worst records in baseball, a wait-'til-next-year attitude has already crept into the thinking of many fans. And 2012 fantasies start with Albert Pujols. — Call Prince Fielder a very attractive consolation prize.
Discussion:
Associated Press and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Ramirez, Castro rally Cubs past Brewers in 10th inning
Ramirez, Castro rally Cubs past Brewers in 10th inning
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Sun Times:
It's time for fans to recognize that Wrigley Field really IS a dump
It's time for fans to recognize that Wrigley Field really IS a dump
Discussion:
ESPN
Paul White / USA Today:
Injuries to Derek Jeter, Russell Martin squeeze Yankees — NEW YORK — Joe Girardi knew Derek Jeter would lobby hard to avoid his first trip to the disabled list since 2003. — But the New York Yankees manager, remembering a similar situation last year with third baseman Alex Rodriguez …
Discussion:
Babes Love Baseball
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Brian Heyman / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees pregame: Top of the order — Brett Gardner had three hits and a walk in the leadoff spot last night with righty Alexi Ogando going for the Rangers. Joe Girardi has decisions to make at the top of the order now with Derek Jeter down. And he had Gardner on the bench and Nick Swisher …
Discussion:
It's About The Money and River Avenue Blues
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank:
Florida Marlins call up Jose Lopez, who will start at second base tonight — The Marlins made a few roster moves after the first game of today's double-header: RHP Elih Villanueva was optioned back to Class AAA New Orleans after allowing eight runs in three innings in an 8-1 loss.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Scott Kazmir has another bad minor league start, may be finished as an Angel — Struggling left-hander gives up six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings for Salt Lake, pushing his ERA with triple-A team to 17.02, and Angels may have to release him — and eat $14.5 million on his contract.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Halos Heaven, Over the Monster and Los Angeles Times
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Scott Kazmir Likely To Be Released — “It appears the Angels will have no choice but to release” lefty Scott Kazmir, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. That would mean eating about $7MM in remaining salary, plus a $2.5MM buyout for 2012. — GM Tony Reagins was on hand …
Discussion:
Rising Apple, Mets Merized Online, HardballTalk and Mike Silva's …
Associated Press:
Jhoulys Chacin stymies Padres as Rockies win 6-3 — DENVER - Jhoulys Chacin scattered three hits over six sharp innings and Seth Smith hit a tiebreaking single as part of a five-run sixth, lifting the Colorado Rockies to a 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Purple Row and Associated Press
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Jim Armstrong / All Things Rockies:
Rockies-Padres lineups for Wednesday rubber game of series
Rockies-Padres lineups for Wednesday rubber game of series
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Hanley sits out day game after night game — Star shortstop expected to play in twin-bill nightcap — PHILADELPHIA — On Wednesday morning, before Game 1 of a split doubleheader, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was taking his regular round of batting practice. The 27-year-old also fielded his share of grounders.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank:
Florida Marlins targeting July 16 return date for Josh Johnson
Florida Marlins targeting July 16 return date for Josh Johnson
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Rehab over, Mauer to return to Twins lineup Friday — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Joe Mauer's return to the Minnesota lineup has been set for Friday. — Mauer finished his minor-league rehabilitation assignment by facing teammate Joe Nathan in a live batting practice session in Florida on Wednesday.
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Jon Krawczynski / Associated Press:
Morneau headed to DL for Twins
Morneau headed to DL for Twins
Discussion:
Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Mike Ozanian / SportsMoney:
Einhorn Could Get Control Of New York Mets For $1 — In three years hedge fund manager David Einhorn could gain control of the New York Mets for $1. — Last month Einhorn and the owners of the MLB team, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, came to terms on a deal in which Einhorn would pay $200 million …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, ESPN, MetsBlog.com and The 'Ropolitans
NY Daily News:
Phil Hughes could be pitching for New York Yankees by early July if rehab starts go smoothly — The injury-riddled Yankees' pitching staff could be getting a lift at the start of next month in the form of Phil Hughes. — Hughes, out since April 15 with inflammation in his shoulder …
Discussion:
It's About The Money
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 3, Rays 0 — Game over — It will be overshadowed by the Stanley Cup Final, but Josh Beckett was sensational tonight in tossing a 3-0 one-hit shutout. His performance was certainly right there with recently great starts by Detroit's Justin Verlander, the Angels' Jered Weaver and Tampa Bay's James Shields.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Heyward activated from DL, ready to play — ATLANTA — Confident that his right shoulder will no longer be a problem, Jason Heyward returned to the Braves' lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Mets at Turner Field. — The Braves activated Heyward from the disabled list late Wednesday afternoon …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Angels 4 — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Angels-Mariners Preview … Jered Weaver is among the AL leaders in ERA, and some production from the Los Angeles Angels' bats could have him leading the way in victories, too. — A power surge from Vernon Wells may have given Weaver a sense of relief.
Discussion:
ESPN and Lookout Landing
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