Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Wagner makes it bit of a wild finish — WASHINGTON - Billy Wagner's velocity was up, but his control was off. The closer hit 96 mph while walking three batters in the ninth inning against the Nationals. — "It's ugly, but I've had uglier games," he said about yesterday's 31-pitch appearance.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
No Walks, Little Talk, but Rookie May Have Right Stuff — WASHINGTON, April 11 — The Mets know what it is like to be teased by a young pitcher. In the last two decades, they have watched several of their prospects climb through the minors before quickly slipping into mediocrity or oblivion.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Bannister keeps Mets rolling in D.C. — Rookie earns first career win by baffling Nationals — WASHINGTON — The fifth batter Brian Bannister faced in his big-league career — way back on Wednesday last week — was Alfonso Soriano. Bannister pitched him inside and higher than he had intended in the second inning.
Jack Curry / New York Times:Young Friends Help Bond the Mets and the Nationals
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Murray Chass / New York Times:
From the Talk of the Town to Hardly Talking — THIS is about the day that George Steinbrenner almost talked to me. — George always used to talk to me, not to mention every other reporter who covered the Yankees. Sure there were times when he didn't — wouldn't would be more exact …
Discussion:
NY Daily News
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Jeter Provides Fireworks That Cap Home-Opening Victory — At the start of spring training, Johnny Damon said the Yankees were Derek Jeter's team. Politically, it was a wise move by Damon, the pricey free agent deferring to the team captain. But it was also accurate.
Discussion:
In George We Trust
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Kinsler suffers dislocated left thumb — Rookie second baseman likely headed to DL — ANAHEIM — Rangers rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler is probably headed for the disabled list after dislocating his left thumb in a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Showalter shuffles lineup — Teixeira to DH while bruised finger heals — ANAHEIM — Manager Buck Showalter switched up his struggling lineup for Tuesday's game with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. — Kevin Mench, dealing with a sore right foot, was on the bench, while Adrian Brown started for him in right field.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Stern thrust into spotlight — With Crisp sidelined, center fielder not packing for Minors — BOSTON — If Adam Stern had April 20 circled on his calendar, he can now find some white-out. That date — originally when Stern would have been sent to Triple-A Pawtucket because it meant …
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Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Revved Sox — Winning streak hits 5 as they shine in home opener — So it wasn't quite last year's Opening Day. No World Series banner unfurled, no rings, no Bill Russell, no laughing Mariano Rivera taking a bow, no Alex Rodriguez miscue to open the floodgates. It wasn't perfect.
Discussion:
Wallball Single
Washington Post:
Lack of Minority Investors Is Weakening Lerner Bid — With Major League Baseball officials saying they now expect a decision on the new ownership of the Washington Nationals by the end of next week, there were strong indications yesterday that a paucity of local minority investors is hurting …
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Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Philadelphia Phillies — It's a little early for scoreboard watching, but it was impossible not to keep tabs on some of the out-of-town action yesterday, particularly the fray out in Cincinnati, where the Reds hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Though they were not opponents on this day …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Borchard in jeopardy — Lawton's return likely will drop OF from roster — CLEVELAND — Joe Borchard's time with the Mariners might not last past today. — Borchard is the likeliest of the Mariners to be moved off the roster to make room for Matt Lawton …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Second stent puts Brocail's return on hold — MIAMI - Padres reliever Doug Brocail underwent a second angioplasty yesterday after recent tests discovered a coronary blockage separate from the one that required surgery March 11. — Manager Bruce Bochy said Brocail reported feeling heartburn …
Barry Jackson / Miami Herald:
San Antonio 'very viable,' Loria says — Though he prefers South Florida, owner Jeffrey Loria reiterated that the Marlins will explore all relocation options, including San Antonio. — bjackson@MiamiHerald.com — Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said before the home opener Tuesday …
Discussion:
The Metropolitans
Fox Sports:
Wright could play his way into Cooperstown — That Mets third baseman David Wright appears to be toe-deep in a Hall-of-Fame career shouldn't come as much of a surprise. — Long before Wright was drafted in 2001 with the 38th overall pick, insiders were aware of his astounding potential.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Miami Herald:
Ramirez shows his worth — Josh Beckett gave the Boston Red Sox another outstanding start Tuesday, and Mike Lowell went 4 for 4 in his Fenway Park debut. But the key player obtained by the Marlins in that big November trade, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, gave South Florida baseball fans a taste of why he was so coveted.
