Top News:
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
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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
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
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Sandy Burgin / MLB.com:
Park faces D-Backs at PETCO Park — Arizona (8-11) at San Diego (8-10), 7:05 p.m. PT — Fresh off a four-game split with the National League East-leading Mets, the Padres get back to their own division Monday night with the opener of a three-game series with the Diamondbacks.
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 …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Milton headed to disabled list — Ramirez to get call from Triple-A, start on Monday — MILWAUKEE — Tests on Eric Milton's sore left knee revealed that the Reds starting pitcher will need arthroscopic surgery to clean out damaged meniscus cartilage.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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.
Discussion:
Distinguished Senators
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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.
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Braves edge Nats in finale — Betemit's long ball lifts Atlanta to come-from-behind win — WASHINGTON — Atlanta didn't do much offensively for most of Sunday's series finale with Washington. The Nationals, on the other hand, kept getting hits off Braves pitchers, who repeatedly found themselves trying to get out of trouble.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Amid 'kitchen' heat, Keith sorry — Keith Hernandez apologized yesterday for inappropriate comments he made Saturday night about San Diego's massage therapist Kelly Calabrese. — After Mike Piazza's second-inning home run Saturday, SportsNet New York's camera focused on Calabrese …
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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
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Homers hurt Zambrano in loss to Friars — Righty allows five runs in four innings in series finale — SAN DIEGO — The Mets had 'em right where they wanted. The Padres had taken the bait and loaded the bases. What folly! Such flawed strategizing. Somebody should have known better.
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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
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 …
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Sign given on Crisp return — Middle of May is target date — Jason Varitek, who wasn't happy with his swing yesterday, tried to get on base via a bunt in the fifth. He was erased easily. The Red Sox captain did single and score in the ninth, however. (Reuters Photo)
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Shoes make Mench worth mentioning — Outfielder has driven in 12 since change of footwear to larger size — ARLINGTON - It's gotta be the shoes. — At least that's what hitting coach Brook Jacoby said is the main reason outfielder Kevin Mench is starting to pound the ball and collect RBIs in bunches.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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 …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers take finale from D-Backs — Tomko tosses six solid innings en route to second win — LOS ANGELES — One name you don't hear mentioned much around Dodger Stadium these days is Adrian Beltre. — Bill Mueller is the reason. He's plugged the black hole at third base caused by Beltre's departure after the 2004 season.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Jamey Newberg / MLB.com:
Going Deep: Bukvich's long journey — Rangers prospect working through Minors despite uncertainty — Ryan Bukvich was an impact prospect, an 11th-round pick who didn't pitch during his senior year at the University of Mississippi because he was academically ineligible.
