Top News:
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Pineiro aims for second victory — Seattle (5-6) at Boston (7-3), 10:20 a.m. PT — After Joel Pineiro's last start, an up-and-down effort against the Oakland A's, the Mariners right-hander's going to be looking to put two halves together and make one solid whole Saturday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
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David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:A Sure Schilling — He's 3-0; Fifth Save For Papelbon
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Brazelton sent to bullpen; Hensley starter — MIAMI - Manager Bruce Bochy made it official yesterday, demoting Dewon Brazelton into a long-relief job and filling the No. 4 starting spot with Clay Hensley for Tuesday's game in Denver. — "Hopefully it'll be the best for both pitchers," Bochy said.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Notes: Hensley inserted into rotation — Continuing to recover, Cameron takes swings off tee — ATLANTA — Clay Hensley had a fascinating reaction to Friday's news that he would be taking Dewon Brazelton's place in the Padres' starting rotation on Tuesday night against the Rockies, with Brazelton going to the bullpen.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Olsen makes first start of 2006 — Washington (2-9) at Florida (3-6), 6:05 p.m. ET — Gaining some positive momentum is crucial for a young team like the Marlins. — Now that they've won back-to-back games for the first time this season, the squad with 11 rookies is looking to keep the momentum going.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Magnificent seven — Glavine extends streak — The Mets are spending the season celebrating the 20th anniversary of their last World Series championship in 1986. But for this accomplishment, they have to go back one year earlier. — The Mets continued to make their fans wax nostalgic …
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Sanchez cleans up Heilman's mess — It was pretty clear who would be starting the games. And with the addition of Billy Wagner, there was absolute certainty about who would be finishing them. The relief pitchers who would bridge the gap between a formidable rotation and a brilliant closer probably …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Lefty just what pen needed — Wilson comes off DL to add some flexibility; Feldman sent down — OAKLAND, Calif. - Rangers manager Buck Showalter felt a little more comfortable Friday afternoon. — He had a second left-hander he could trust in the bullpen.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' outfielders could use a do-over — Injuries, struggling bats enough to make team believe there's a curse — OAKLAND, Calif. - Is it another symptom of "The Dellucci Curse?" — The Rangers outfield, which was supposed to be one of the team's biggest assets this season …
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Wells may be headed to DL — David Wells is expected to miss his next start on Monday and could be headed back to the 15-day disabled list. — The 42-year-old left-hander, who was pounded for seven runs on 10 hits in only four innings in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays …
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Associated Press:
Casey out 6-8 weeks with back injury — PITTSBURGH (AP) — First baseman Sean Casey will be out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup for six to eight weeks with two fractures in his left lower back. — Casey was injured during Friday night's game against the Cubs while he was stretching for a throw.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
Damon would move for Hunter — Yankee willing to play right field if New York acquired Twins star — Just because the New York Yankees signed Johnny Damon to play center field doesn't mean there isn't room for Torii Hunter. — Damon told the Pioneer Press he would be willing to move …
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Back to square 1 — Yanks .500 as bats go dead again — MINNEAPOLIS - Last night felt too much like last week for the Yankees, which is to say it didn't feel very good at all. — One day after finishing off a mostly dominant three-game sweep of the Royals, the Yanks were mostly dominated …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Maddux's success driven by his impeccable control … When Greg Maddux made his major league debut in 1986, he was 20 years old, then the youngest pitcher in baseball. — "I've always thought it would be cool,'' he said a few years ago, "to leave as the oldest.'' — Someday, he might get his wish.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Report: Feds investigating if Bonds committed perjury — Baseball isn't the only organization investigating Barry Bonds. — CNN reported Thursday that the federal government is investigating whether Bonds committed perjury during his grand jury testimony in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative case in 2003.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
GREINKE EAGER TO PITCH AGAIN — KC starter 'feeling a lot better' and looking forward to playing — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Royals pitcher Zack Greinke said he feels healthy enough, after nearly eight weeks of psychological counseling, to think about returning to the mound.
ESPN:
2006 Power Rankings: Looking Amazin' so far — On paper the New York Mets entered the season looking like the National League's most loaded team. And only two weeks in, they're backing it up on the field. In fact, they're playing like the best team in the majors.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Lofton Is Activated, but Ross Stays — The light on Cody Ross' cellphone kept blinking. He rounded the bases on television replays Thursday, again and again, and every time he did someone called and left a message of congratulations. — "Before we got to the airport, I already had 15," he said.
