Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Designate Mike Cameron For Assignment — The Red Sox announced that they have designated outfielder Mike Cameron for assignment and called infielder Yamaico Navarro up to take Cameron's place on the team. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot. — Boston expected Cameron …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Hamels leaves Red Sox game after liner — PHILADELPHIA—Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels was forced out of his start against the Boston Red Sox after he was struck by a line drive on his glove hand. — Adrian Gonzalez hit a liner at Hamels in the fourth inning of Thursday's game.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Boston Globe and Boston Herald
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 5, Phillies 2 — Game over — Interesting choice to close this one out - Bobby Jenks. He allowed a single to Placido Polanco and that got Jonathan Papelbon up in the bullpen. After Chase Utley popped out, Ryan Howard delivered a two-run homer on an -1 pitch …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Right all wrong for Red Sox — PHILADELPHIA — Last time Theo Epstein checked, the Red Sox [team stats] had scored 410 runs, more than any team except the Yankees (416). So it may be nitpicking to point out that only one American League team, the weak-hitting Athletics …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Ibanez, Worley lead Phillies over Red Sox — PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Vance Worley(notes) didn't get Dustin Pedroia's(notes) autograph. He got the former MVP's attention—and the rest of the Boston Red Sox, too. — Worley pitched seven strong innings, Raul Ibanez(notes) hit a tiebreaking solo homer …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Blogging Baseball, The Good Phight, FenwayNationWorld and Yahoo! Sports
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Willie Harris' wife loses her baby — Willie Harris has been moved to the bereavement list, which means he is eligible to return in three to seven days. — During yesterday's 16-9 win over the Tigers, Willie Harris left for New York to be with his wife, who went into labor before her expected due date, and lost their baby.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mets OF Harris leaves team after baby's death — DETROIT — New York Mets outfielder Willie Harris has been put on the bereavement list after his wife went into premature labor and their baby died. — Manager Terry Collins offered his condolences to Harris and his wife, Trey, before Thursday's game at Detroit.
Discussion:
ESPN
Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Tigers most interested in starters, not Reyes — The Tigers aren't actively pursuing Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and are instead looking at the market for starting pitchers, sources say. — Tigers officials seem content with their current level of offensive production.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Verlander vs. Reyes is battle of best — DETROIT — Tigers ace Justin Verlander is the most fascinating pitcher in baseball right now. — Tigers at a glance — Jose Reyes, the Mets' kinetic marvel, is his must-see counterpart. — Around 1:05 p.m. ET today, Reyes will step into the left-handed batter's box at Comerica Park.
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Athletics trade Mark Ellis to the Rockies — The Oakland Athletics just announced that they have traded infielder Mark Ellis to the Colorado Rockies for pitcher Bruce Billings and a player to be named later (the latter of whom seems to get traded A LOT!).
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and Athletics Nation
MLB.com:
Fielder, Weeks seek last-minute votes — All-Star ballots to close on Thursday at 10:59 p.m. CT — NEW YORK — Outfielder Ryan Braun wouldn't mind if a whole army of Brewers fans develop carpal tunnel syndrome before 10:59 p.m. CT on Thursday. — That's the deadline to cast votes …
RELATED:
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Burnett, Martin lead surging Yankees past Brewers
Burnett, Martin lead surging Yankees past Brewers
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
External / ESPN:
A.J. takes mound, looks to snap skid
A.J. takes mound, looks to snap skid
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Brew Crew Ball
Tim Sullivan / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Now that Ludwick has shown his stuff, will he be shown the door? — Ryan Ludwick has proved his point. He is not as lousy as he looked last season. He is not the same hired gun who struggled to hit a moving target. He is not reprising his role as the pennant insurance who failed to perform.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and MLB Rumors
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
ASG spots up for grabs as voting nears close — Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday for the 2011 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Sprint, and many questions were unanswered with less than 36 hours to go, as fans decide who will start July 12 at Phoenix. — Consider:
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Sons of Steve Garvey
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats assessing market for potential deals — Acquiring leadoff hitter at top of list as Trade Deadline nears — WASHINGTON — Entering Friday's action against the Pirates, the Nationals are 40-41 and 11 games behind the Phillies in the National League East.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Crasnick: Starting 9 — Players who've been life savers — Ryan Vogelsong and Mike Morse among the players who've stepped in and performed — As the 2011 All-Star Game selections approach, Major League Baseball is about to lavish praise and attention on a lot of big-name players who'll …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Ramirez's single in ninth gives Cubs win over Giants — CHICAGO — Pinch-hitter Aramis Ramirez singled to drive in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Chicago Cubs beat San Francisco 2-1 on Wednesday night to end the Giants' seven-game winning streak.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Recap: Paul DePodesta conf. call with bloggers — Tonight, Vice President of player development and amateur scouting Paul DePodesta held a conference call with Mets bloggers. — Below is a recap of the questions and responses: — Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com: When evaluating amateur talent …
Discussion:
Kranepool Society, OnTheBlack.com, Mets Merized Online, Amazin' Avenue and The Mets Police
Noah Trister / Associated Press:
Mets pound Tigers again, romp 16-9 this time — DETROIT—Scott Hairston launched a bases-loaded triple and Ronny Paulino contributed four hits as part of another offensive barrage by the New York Mets, who beat the Detroit Tigers 16-9 on Wednesday night. — The Mets set a team record …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bless You Boys and Yahoo! Sports