Top News:
Christopher L. Gasper / Boston Globe:
Harris in the house — There was a new face in the Red Sox clubhouse today, veteran utility man Willie Harris. Harris replaces outfielder Adam Stern, who was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket following last night's game. Harris, 27, played in 56 games last season for the White Sox, batting .256 with a home run and 8 runs batted in.
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Tom Yantz / Hartford Courant:
D-Rays Shift Their Strategy — Play Six Outfielders Against Ortiz — BOSTON — Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon used his six-outfielder shift against David Ortiz again Wednesday night, with all of his infielders out there, except first baseman Travis Lee. — "It's our 3-4 defense …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Latest blow: Shoulder sidelines Crawford — BOSTON - As if the Devil Rays haven't been hurt enough already by injuries, leftfielder Carl Crawford was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with a sore right shoulder and could miss additional games. — Crawford was injured diving for a ball …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Stern sent down after game — Harris expected to join the Red Sox on Thursday — BOSTON — The day after Adam Stern made what might have been a game-saving catch to close out Tuesday's win over the Devil Rays, the outfielder was again a hot topic of discussion.
Dallas Morning News:
Chat transcript: Cordero is still the Rangers' man — Evan Grant: Well, I'm here. Barely. Long game made for a long night. I've got the Eggs Benedict heading up the room and prepared to answer all your wide-ranging questions. But let me guess, you want to talk some Francisco Cordero, don't you?
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
For Marshall, it's back to the basics — Rookie lefty needs innings to build confidence, stamina — LOS ANGELES — The education of Sean Marshall continued Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, where the 23-year-old Cubs left-hander was seeking his second major-league victory.
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Cubs rally past Dodgers despite injuries
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Herrmann / Newsday:
Never Wright off Braves — Hudson, three errors by third baseman lift rival Mets can't beat — The Mets just didn't have enough health, enough hitting, enough fielding or enough luck to get through three days against the Braves. That only made the Mets realize how amazing it is that a team can go 14 years without letting up.
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NY Daily News:
Cox again has ace in hole — Hudson helps throw Mets off — When you're Bobby Cox, proud of all the Atlanta Braves have stood for these past 14 seasons and uncompromisingly loyal to the players who made it so, it doesn't get much better than this. — Before his Braves provided another reminder …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Hernandez Puts on Show, But Phillies End the Act — PHILADELPHIA, April 19 — Joey Eischen always has a bit of a crazed look in his eye, as if he might as soon run through a wall as hold a polite conversation. Mike Stanton is more laid-back, the veteran from Texas who has pitched …
Discussion:
Church of Baseball
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Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Expert — I'm often introduced as a "baseball expert." I always chuckle, because to me, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Every discovery, every analysis, every set of data leads to new conclusions and often just as many questions as answers.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Wright Thompson / Kansas City Star:
Greinke takes step toward mound — For Zack Greinke, there's no schedule or projected return date. Just hope. — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Zack Greinke is alone, something that seems to both comfort and frighten him. The normally busy baseball facility has gone silent.
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Kaz gets second chance — Kaz Matsui's return to the Mets - and to their starting lineup - has arrived faster than the team anticipated. Rookie replacement Anderson Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI yesterday revealed he has a bulging disk in his lower back.
Jeff Moeller / MLB.com:
Q&A with Rangers' Kameron Loe — After posting a 9-6 record with a 3.42 ERA in 48 appearances (including eight starts) with Texas in 2005, 25-year-old right-hander Kameron Loe earned a spot in the Rangers rotation this season. Loe, who features a fastball, heavy sinker, slurve and changeup …
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Zambrano looks clueless in defeat — NEW YORK — Welcome to Victor Zambrano's world, where winning streaks and early April optimism go to die. — Gone, in five miserable innings, was the Mets' perfect aura, the one that turned a midweek series with the Braves into a miniature October showdown.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Notes: Jones ready to be activated — Leyland to ease veteran closer into role — OAKLAND — All that's left for Todd Jones now is to wait. — After throwing about 23 pitches on Wednesday afternoon in his second simulated game, Jones' work was finished.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Idle Womack getting a bit antsy — Tony Womack wasn't in a chatty mood Wednesday, but he gave a pretty good indication he's not real happy about his situation. — Womack was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game Wednesday. — More significantly, Brandon Phillips started …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Low-Scoring Victory: Yanks and Mussina Tweak Template — TORONTO, April 19 — Since the first game of the season, the Yankees had established a pattern. Every time they won, they scored at least nine runs. Every time they lost, they scored no more than five.



