Top News:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs' Prior faces hitters for first time — Wood's latest throwing session cut short — ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs have good news on Mark Prior and some cautionary news about Kerry Wood. — Prior, who has been sidelined with a strained muscle in his right shoulder …
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Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Cubs 1B Lee out with broken right wrist — Cubs 1B Lee out with broken right wrist — CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee broke two bones in his right wrist in a collision with the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal and is expected to be in a cast up to six weeks.
Arizona Phil / The Cub Reporter:
RESTOVICH TO JOIN CUBS FRIDAY — With Derrek Lee expected to be out of action for anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, the Cubs have apparently selected 27-year old OF Michael Restovich to replace D-Lee on their 25-man roster. Although no official announcement has been made by the Cubs …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox halted by Jays in 12 innings — Beckett, bullpen can't hold four-run lead in eighth — TORONTO — With a complete-game gem tantalizingly close enough to taste, Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett instead ended the night all but feeling he got hit by a skunk.
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
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Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Will ounce of prevention be the best medicine? — It was a 6-4 homestand. Good? Disappointing? Too close to call? — With a fraction under 10 percent of the season in the books, there is one safe thing we can say about the 2006 edition of the Boston Red Sox: They have come exactly as advertised.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Dcist Martin / DCist:
Nats Take On Division Rival Braves, Weather Permitting — This entry was written by DCist contributor Benjamin Kabak. — After taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies this week, the Nationals return to the confines of RFK Stadium to face the division-rival Atlanta Braves in a three-game series this weekend.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano's three homers lift Nats — Washington downs Atlanta with four-run eighth inning — WASHINGTON — A wild pitch by Mike Remlinger and Alfonso Soriano's third home run of the game helped the Nationals defeated the Braves, 7-3, in front of 24,597 fans at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Friday night.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres aim to get even with Mets — New York Mets (11-4) vs. San Diego (6-9), 7:05 p.m. PT — At times like this, in the wake of a distressing defeat, a cool-handed veteran is the ideal antidote. The Padres, accordingly, turn to Woody Williams, their most experienced moundsman …
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Jay Posner / San Diego Union-Tribune:Piazza happy with his new surroundings
Discussion:
NY Mets Blog
Arnie Stapleton / Associated Press:
Rockies designate Day for assignment — Rockies designate Day for assignment — DENVER (AP) — Zach Day's struggles have opened the door for Miguel Asencio to return to a major league mound for the first time in nearly three years. — The Colorado Rockies designated Day for assignment Friday …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Associated Press:
Rockies slugger hospitalized with stomach pains — DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies slugger Todd Helton was hospitalized overnight Friday because of stomach cramps and a fever. — BOX SCORE: Rockies vs. Giants — "We don't have a diagnosis at this time except for the stomach discomfort …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Royals could get worse if trades happen — As bad as the Royals are, they could get worse. — One American League executive says that he would prefer to play the Royals in the second half, reasoning that the team likely will trade first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek …
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Associated Press:
Nationals GM Bowden regrets 'embarrassment' — WASHINGTON — In his first public comments since being charged with drunken driving, Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Friday he regretted "the embarrassment" and strongly denied scuffling with his girlfriend shortly before their arrests.
Associated Press:
Yankees top $1B in Forbes valuation — NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees became the first baseball team valued at more than $1 billion in the annual estimates made by Forbes magazine. — The Yankees' value increased 8 percent to $1.026 billion, the magazine estimated in its May 8 issue, which was released Thursday.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Showalter says Cordero still Rangers' closer — SEATTLE - In the wake of his second blown save in eight days, Rangers closer Francisco Cordero and pitching coach Mark Connor insisted the pitcher isn't abandoning his fastball for the slider. — That's right, manager Buck Showalter agreed.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
To many, organs give life to baseball — Several parks proud to embrace game's rich musical tradition — CHICAGO — White Sox organist Nancy Faust could be described as one part entertainer, one part musician and one part mad scientist. How else could the following scenario be explained?
ESPN:
2006 Power Rankings: Champs back on top — Maybe it's not quite as prestigious as winning a World Series trophy, but the Chicago White Sox are once again looking down upon the MLB kingdom as the No. 1 team in this week's ESPN.com Power Rankings. — The defending champions …
Chris Haft / Mercury News:
Bonds sits again; Giants insist that he's just resting — PHOENIX - Barry Bonds was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Thursday because of general soreness, although Giants Manager Felipe Alou emphasized that the left fielder's specific physical problems had not worsened.
