Top News:
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks-Padres Preview — With Mike Cameron having joined the lineup and Josh Barfield showing promise, the San Diego Padres hope to get their offense rolling as they open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday at Petco Park. — Cameron made his debut for the Padres …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
RELATED ITEMS:
Bob Sikes / ..getting paid to watch:
Political Correctness has reached the dugout — During the 1970's, it became common for female reporters to have access to baseball's clubhouses. It took a court order, but it happened and quite frankly, we all got used to changing in front of our lockers and walking to the shower while there were women present.
Associated Press:
Keith Hernandez reprimanded by Mets network for 'inappropriate' comments — NEW YORK (AP) — Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez was reprimanded by the team's television network for "inappropriate" remarks during a broadcast about a female member of San Diego's training staff.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Associated Press:
Milton goes on DL after knee surgery — WASHINGTON — The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Cody Ross from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named Monday and designated infielder Tony Womack for assignment to the minors. — "I'm happy to find a home, especially with the Reds …
Discussion:
The Sporting Brews
RELATED ITEMS:
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Break Out the Grill — Lance Berkman suggested that the recent explosion of numbers confirms what many of us knew; pitchers were benefiting from steroids more than hitters were. The problem with this theory is that you have to accept two facts: that hitters benefited …
Discussion:
6-4-2
RELATED ITEMS:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Diagnosis good news for Burnett, Jays — Right-hander strains scar tissue; no structural damage found — TORONTO — The diagnosis on A.J. Burnett's right elbow turned out to be just as the team suspected. The pain that cut Burnett's start short on Friday was another case of strained scar tissue …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
David Lennon / Newsday:
Beltran nears trip to DL — Randolph hints Milledge might get the call-up if Carlos goes on disabled list Friday — SAN FRANCISCO — The Mets have targeted Friday as the deadline to place Carlos Beltran on the 15-day disabled list and manager Willie Randolph suggested for the first time yesterday …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Notes: Ortiz out of rotation — Counsell should play Tuesday; Grimsley working hard — SAN DIEGO — If he is to work out his pitching struggles, Diamondbacks right-hander Russ Ortiz will have to do it from the bullpen. — Ortiz was removed from the starting rotation Monday …
Discussion:
Out in the Desert
RELATED ITEMS:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Are the '06 Nats competitive? — Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … I love having Alfonso Soriano in the outfield. Is there any chance he will sign a long-term deal with Washington and be happy playing the outfield? — Brant B., Maurertown, Va.
MLB.com:
Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds named Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week — Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, who led the league with 17 RBI, has been named Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week for April 17-23, 2006.
Discussion:
Church of Baseball
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Adkins' 'Swing' could be a big hit — Country star debuts new song at MLB.com — Trace Adkins is known for smart honky-tonk tunes with a little bit of attitude and a healthy helping of good, clean American fun. — That won't change any time soon, but it'll swing in a different direction with …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals' Fortunes Change Quickly — Majewski Gives Up Homer in Loss: Braves 3, Nationals 1 — Gary Majewski was pumping fastballs to Wilson Betemit, pitches popping up at 93 and 94 mph on the scoreboard at RFK Stadium. It is, by all accounts, his best pitch, a sinking fastball that stays down and away from a left-handed hitter.
RELATED ITEMS:
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Salmon and Santana star — Outfielder homers, pitcher fans 10 in 3-0 win over Tigers — ANAHEIM — Tim Salmon found a wrinkle in time Monday night. — The Angels designated hitter delighted the hometown fans by drilling a solo home run in the second inning and driving in another run with a two-out single in the sixth.
Discussion:
6-4-2
The DCenters:
The Spit Take — Two days out, and the Eskandarian spit take is still the topic of conversation around MLS. The video of Eskandarian spitting the Red Bull is now up (HT - OffWing) and more people are having their say on the topic (Here's the LA Times' Grahame Jones on the issue …
Rowdy / Honest Wagner:
How they scored — First inning, year to date: … Second and third innings: … Fourth through ninth innings: … How have they outscored their opponents in the last five or six innings and not won more games on the late-inning rally? Because the other team has been, to borrow a football phrase, running out the clock.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Phillips getting playing time — Jeter gets another Gold Glove; Small close to returning — NEW YORK — During Spring Training, Joe Torre said that the biggest challenge facing Andy Phillips this season was finding a way to stay sharp while seeing limited playing time.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Brad Biggs / Chicago Sun Times:
Manning Jr. charged with assault in L.A. — The man the Bears are counting on to solve their secondary woes has his own problems right now. — Ricky Manning Jr., whom the Bears signed to an offer sheet worth as much as $21 million Friday, was arrested shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday in Los Angeles …
