Top News:
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Bautista tops all to earn starting All-Star nod — TORONTO — Jose Bautista made history on Sunday afternoon by becoming the first Blue Jays player in history to be named the top vote-getter in fan balloting for an All-Star Game. — Bautista took over top spot when the first round of results …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Batter's Box Interactive …
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TSN.ca:
Jays aim to end Lee's dominance, avoid sweep against Phillies — The Sports Network — (Sports Network) - If the Toronto Blue Jays hope to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Phillies they will have to find a way to get to Cliff Lee who has been nearly untouchable of late.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Associated Press and Canadian Press
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Phil Humber pitches White Sox to 1-0 win over Cubs — CHICAGO—Phil Humber, backed by strong defense, pitched shutout ball for seven innings and Juan Pierre singled in the only run Saturday, lifting the Chicago White Sox past the Cubs 1-0. — Humber (8-4), who made the team in spring training …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Pierre starting to turn on pitches early in count
Pierre starting to turn on pitches early in count
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Sign Venezuelan Catcher Jose Garcia — The Mets have signed Venezuelan catcher Jose Garcia. Bonus terms were not immediately available. — A 16-year-old from San Felipe, Garcia was considered one of the top catchers this year. He's a 5-foot-11, 180-pound switch-hitter with a line-drive swing and good catch-and-throw skills.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Padres Sign Jose Ruiz For $1.1 Million
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Cubs Sign Enrique Acosta For $1.1 Million
Cubs Sign Enrique Acosta For $1.1 Million
Discussion:
Pirates Prospects and MLB Rumors
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Rosters unveiled for 82nd All-Star Game — Three full months are in the books, one week remains before the celebrated midway point and a record 32.5 million ballots are in. — Now, it's time to unveil the All-Stars. — In anticipation for the 82nd All-Star Game in Phoenix's Chase Field on July 12 …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Carmona strains quad while taking tumble — CINCINNATI — Indians starter Fausto Carmona looked a little beaten up, and perhaps a touch embarrassed, after his abbreviated performance in Saturday's 3-1 Interleague victory over the Reds. — The injury that forced Carmona to exit the contest …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Let's Go Tribe
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Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Indians lose Carmona, beat Reds 3-1
Indians lose Carmona, beat Reds 3-1
Discussion:
Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Ross, Braves slam Orioles 5-4 — ATLANTA — David Ross hit his second career grand slam and the Atlanta Braves held on for a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night. — Tim Hudson pitched six innings and Jordan Schafer made a couple of nice plays in center field …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Camden Chat, Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Ramirez Homers Twice to Lead Marlins Past Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hanley Ramirez hit a grand slam and solo shot for a career high-tying five RBIs, helping the Florida Marlins overcome Josh Hamilton's two homers to beat the Texas Rangers 9-5 Saturday night.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Associated Press
Ben Bolch / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti not ready to unload just yet — Contenders could be interested in players such as Hiroki Kuroda and Jamey Carroll, yet Colletti says the Dodgers might make a push before the trading deadline. — Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti, shown talking with Manager Don Mattingly …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Kotchman, Ruggiano Spark Rays Past Cardinals 5-1 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Casey Kotchman drove in three runs with a double and Justin Ruggiano hit a two-run homer during a five-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday night.
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Associated Press
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
McDonald times it right — HOUSTON - Darnell McDonald has been through a lot of disappointments in his professional baseball career. And, boy, would he like to avoid another one. — After watching Mike Cameron get designated for assignment this week, it had to serve as a wake-up call to the 32-year-old outfielder.
Associated Press:
Young sparks Arizona's win over Oakland — OAKLAND, Calif. — Chris Young had three hits and four RBIs, including a two-run homer, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Saturday night. — Joe Saunders (5-7) pitched seven-plus innings for Arizona …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and Athletics Nation
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
In outfield, he may have hit upon something — The subject on my mind was the designated hitter, but in the course of research it became apparent that perhaps the more intriguing question was, where have all the great outfielders gone? — People in the game have been kvetching for years …
Larry Lage / Associated Press:
Giants hit 3 home runs in 15-3 victory over Tigers — DETROIT—The Detroit Tigers have been getting roughed up lately, irritating manager Jim Leyland. — Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford homered in a five-run first inning, Miguel Tejada had a grand slam in a five-run third …
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Rangers give Nomar Mazara $5M bonus — ORLANDO — The Texas Rangers signed Dominican prospect Nomar Mazara on Saturday for a record bonus over $5 million, a source told ESPNdeportes.com. — Mazara, 16, is a 6-foot-5 outfielder who hits for power from the left side of the plate.
Discussion:
Larry Brown Sports, Baseball America, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com, Lone Star Ball and HardballTalk
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mariners Sign Helsin Martinez For $2 Million (Update: Mariners Say No Deal)
Mariners Sign Helsin Martinez For $2 Million (Update: Mariners Say No Deal)
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Royals Sign Elier Hernandez For $3.05 Million
Royals Sign Elier Hernandez For $3.05 Million
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish and River Avenue Blues