Top News:
TSN.ca:
Blue Jays send Johnson to the mound looking to stump Red Sox — The Sports Network — (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox aim to stay perfect on their nine-game homestand when they resume a four-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Fenway Park.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Associated Press
RELATED:
Scott MacArthur / TSN.ca:
DICKEY'S WEDNESDAY START ACE MATERIAL — BOSTON, Massachusetts - There are times over the course of a season when a team needs its ace starter to be a stopper. — For the Blue Jays the time was Wednesday and the ace was R.A. Dickey. He stepped up. — “I feel some responsibility as a stopper from time to time,” said Dickey.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Yankees say Alex Rodriguez's behavior is ‘bizarre’ — NEW YORK - It was another dreary day in the Bronx, not unlike so many others in what's starting to feel like a lost season. At least the Yankees' 2- loss to the Rangers was mercifully quick, but it nevertheless summoned the ghosts …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Sporting News Feed RSS
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Hoping to avoid surgery, Beckett begins throwing — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett has begun a throwing program one month after being shut down with thoracic outlet syndrome, a pinched nerve that causes numbness and tingling in his pitching hand.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
D-backs won't rush to boost pitching — Brewers' Yovani Gallardo is on D'backs' radar, but ... The Diamondbacks are the only NL West team that has not shown interest in Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco. — Why? — The D-Backs are not interested in “renting” a potential free agent …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Wild fifth inning propels Orioles past Indians — BALTIMORE — Chris Davis drove in the tiebreaking run on a fielder's choice grounder in a wild five-run fifth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles rallied for a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, South Side Sox and ESPN
Associated Press:
Deduno Pitches Twins to 3-1 Victory Over Royals — MINNEAPOLIS — Samuel Deduno pitched seven sharp innings and one of Justin Morneau's two doubles drove in Minnesota's first run, sending the Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Twinkie Town and Canadian Press
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians activate Perez from disabled list — Tribe gets All-Star closer back, options rookie left-hander House to Triple-A — BALTIMORE — The Indians have the back end of their bullpen in order again. — Prior to Thursday's game against the Orioles, Cleveland activated All-Star closer Chris Perez …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter runs at Yankees complex in Tampa, Curtis Granderson still unable to swing bat — Jeter already has been hitting, fielding, throwing and doing lateral-movement drills. Running is seen as the last major hurdle before playing in rehab games. On Thursday, he ran straight ahead.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
Canadian Press:
Byrd hits homer in eighth as Mets beat Rockies — DENVER — Marlon Byrd hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and threw out a runner from right field in the ninth to lead the New York Mets past the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Thursday in a makeup game for the one that was snowed out on April 17.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Nolasco handling trade speculation in stride — Right-hander understands the business side of the game and is not concerned — MIAMI — All Ricky Nolasco is focused on right now is his next start, which is Friday for Miami against the Padres at Marlins Park.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Fish Stripes, ESPN and True Blue LA
RELATED:
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Brian Roberts to start at second base this weekend for Orioles — The Baltimore Sun — Second baseman Brian Roberts is expected to play for the Orioles this weekend for the first time since April. — And when he returns to the team, he will regain his starting spot at second base.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and HardballTalk
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Getting Calls On Relievers, Gallardo — The Brewers are receiving “a lot of calls” regarding the availability of John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter). He adds that Yovani Gallardo is also drawing “some” interest.
