Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs dispute report about Zambrano exit — ATLANTA- The Cubs denied an ESPN report that quoted his agent saying Carlos Zambrano returned to Turner Field with his belongings a couple hours after bolting the park and announcing his retirement during Friday night's game.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Banished: Zambrano on disqualified list — Cubs basically suspend him without pay for 30 days for walking out on team — ATLANTA — Nearly four years ago, former Cubs manager Lou Piniella explained why he didn't want Carlos Zambrano to curtail his antics. — “I like an emotional pitcher,” Piniella said.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brew Crew Ball
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Cubs' Zambrano on disqualified list after blowup
Cubs' Zambrano on disqualified list after blowup
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Getting Blanked and MLB.com
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Blasts from the past — SEATTLE - Forgive me if there are any typographical errors in this column. I just shook hands with Wily Mo Pena and I'm now soaking my right mitt in a bucket of ice, hoping the feeling returns by the middle innings. — Wily Mo was called back up to the bigs …
Discussion:
YFSF, Associated Press and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Hernandez survives rally as M's hold off BoSox 5-4 — SEATTLE—Felix Hernandez pitched seven innings and survived a shaky sixth to help the Seattle Mariners hold off the Boston Red Sox 5-4 Saturday night. — Hernandez (11-10) was handed a five-run lead in the first inning but gave …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Lookout Landing and Over the Monster
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Are Florida Marlins sending a message by demoting outspoken left fielder Logan Morrison? — A transcript of Logan Morrison's post-game comments with reporters follows below. But first, I might be able to clear up the “incident” LoMo refered to when he said he suspected his demotion was related to something off the field.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Fish Stripes and Extra Baggs
RELATED:
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
LOOK OUT, HERE COME MORE WILD CARDS — With six weeks left in the season, five of baseball's six divisions have legitimate races for the division championships. That kind of frequency doesn't happen every year, but Major League Baseball is poised to make sure it never happens.
Discussion:
It's About The Money, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and THE BOOK
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets confident Nimmo in fold — Nimmo was named MVP of the 2010 Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field. — A Mets official expressed confidence a deal with first-round pick Brandon Nimmo, a high school outfielder from Wyoming, will be completed/announced by Monday night's deadline.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com and Mets Merized Online
Associated Press:
Posada Hits Slam, Hughes Goes 6 as Yanks Top Rays — NEW YORK (AP) — Jorge Posada hit a grand slam and drove in six runs in his first game since being benched six days ago, and Phil Hughes made his case to remain in the New York Yankees' rotation with six effective innings in a 9-2 victory Saturday …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Boston Herald, My Pinstripes, Pinstripe Alley and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Posada Gets to Leave Bench and Turn Back Clock
Posada Gets to Leave Bench and Turn Back Clock
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Ray Parrillo / Philly.com:
Phillies Notes: Cole Hamels suffering from arm fatigue, pitching coach says — In the opinion of Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee, Cole Hamels is simply experiencing what many starting pitchers do at this time of the year - arm fatigue. — “Right now, that's what we think it is,” Dubee said Saturday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Ranking baseball's best and worst fans — Baseball writer's rankings place Boston Red Sox fans at the top and Tampa Bay fans at the bottom. Dodgers and Angels fans make the top 10. — Red Sox fans give designated hitter David Ortiz a standing ovation after a home run against the Kansas City Royals last month.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
PREGAME NOTES: Barry Zito sprained his ankle and will be out awhile, plus injury updates on Beltran, Wilson, Romo — Barry Zito sprained his ankle, not his foot, when he took an awkward step while trying to back up the plate in the third inning at Triple-A Fresno last night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Game 119: Red Sox at Mariners — It's the last game of the trip, Here are the lineups: — RED SOX (73-45) — Ellsbury CF — Pedroia, 2B — Gonzalez 1B — Youkilis 3B — Ortiz DH — Lowrie SS — Crawford LF — Saltalamacchia C — McDonald RF — Pitching: Tim Wakefield RHP (6-4, 4.92)
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
Phillies To Sign Dave Bush — The Philles have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with Dave Bush, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The deal will become official when the right-hander passes a physical. — Bush, 31, elected to become a free agent earlier this week, opting out of his minor league deal with the Cubs.
Discussion:
The Zo Zone