Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox's Cushy lead is gone in a flash — Garland stumbles, can't hold 6-run edge — KANSAS CITY — A makeshift offense did its part Friday night. Unfortunately for the White Sox, Jon Garland failed to hold a six-run lead that would have seemed automatic in 2005.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Gagne surgery a success — Dodgers closer could return to action in two months — PHILADELPHIA — Friday morning surgery on Eric Gagne's right elbow nerve was termed a success by doctors and he could be back in action in two months, according to the Dodgers.
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Gagne Is Back on the Shelf — Dodger closer will have surgery today to remove nerve in the same elbow that gave him trouble last season. It's unclear how long he'll be out. — PHILADELPHIA — In a development that disappointed the Dodgers but did not catch them unprepared …
David Picker / New York Times:
Franco Embraces His Role as Diplomat in the Dugout — After Carlos Beltran broke his season-opening 0-for-9 slump by hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, he was in no mood to celebrate. But after some coaxing by Manager Willie Randolph and the reserve Julio Franco …
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
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Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Beltran bites back at boo birds — Doesn't want curtain call, says N.Y. 'different' — Carlos Beltran insists the booing from the Shea Stadium faithful does not bother him, but his actions - or desired inaction - may speak louder than words. — The $119 million center fielder turned …
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Young slated for Padres debut vs. Rox — Colorado (1-1) at San Diego (1-1), Friday, 7:05 p.m. PT — After a two-game split with the Giants, the Padres are back in action Friday against another division rival, the Rockies. — Colorado pulled out a 3-2 victory in 11 innings over the Diamondbacks in its opener at home Monday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Gonzalez more than holding his own — While Klesko recuperates, his replacement thrives — SAN DIEGO — Eric Young is reluctant to say it, knowing that the last thing you want to do is burden a young ballplayer with unrealistic comparisons. But the Padres' versatile …
Discussion:
Baseball Toaster
Joedy McCreary / Associated Press:
Sheets strikes out five in rehab start for Double-A Huntsville — Sheets strikes out five in rehab start for Double-A Huntsville — PEARL, Miss. (AP) — Ben Sheets is getting back his confidence — and his fastball. — Regularly reaching the mid-90s on the radar gun …
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MLB.com:
Padres place Shawn Estes on 15-day disabled list — San Diego — The San Diego Padres today placed left-handed pitcher Shawn Estes on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 6) due to a strained left elbow. To fill Estes' spot on the 25-man roster, the club recalled right-handed pitcher Scott Cassidy from Triple-A Portland.
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Notes: Phillips' days with Tribe over — Infielder to net Indians cash or prospect from Cincinnati — CLEVELAND — The Indians found interest for Brandon Phillips from a handful of teams. — But it was clear from the time they designated him for assignment last Saturday that the value received …
Charlie / Bucs Dugout:
On Chris Shelton — I feel like revisiting this, so here's Brian Graham: … Well, apparently it does. Oops. — Shelton is no Albert Pujols. But he's a solid slugger, far better than any hitter except the Pirates currently have except Jason Bay. If the Pirates had kept Shelton …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Lee sets Saturday deadline for deal — If agreement isn't reached, talks will be tabled until postseason — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee set a Saturday deadline to reach an agreement on a contract extension, saying if nothing is done he'll wait until after the season is over to resume talks.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Associated Press:
Lowry placed on DL after straining muscle in start — SAN FRANCISCO — Giants left-hander Noah Lowry was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his right side Friday, a day after he was hurt in the second inning of his first start of the year.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Trachsel faces new-look Fish in opener — Florida (1-2) at New York Mets (2-1), 7:10 p.m. ET — Here come the Marlins, hardly the team the Mets knew and defeated 10 times in 18 games last summer. None of that means much now. — "They're not the same team, we know that," David Wright said Thursday.
