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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Harris sent down to Triple-A — Decision a tough one for Robinson, Nationals to make — ST. LOUIS — In order to get left-hander Mike O'Connor on the 25- and 40-man rosters, the Nationals optioned infielder Brendan Harris to Triple-A New Orleans and designated outfielder Tyrell Godwin for assignment.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Rookie Gets No Support — O'Connor Falls In Nationals Debut: Cardinals 6, Nationals 2 — ST. LOUIS, April 27 — When the ball came out of Ryan Zimmerman's hand, just before it skipped in front of Nick Johnson's glove, the ensuing events were predictable.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
No second thoughts for Soriano in left field — Alfonso Soriano, an outfielder now, doesn't pack a second baseman's glove anymore, so the only glove he has in his locker is one borrowed from a pitcher. — When he relented and went to left field for the Washington Nationals, Soriano …
David Lennon / Newsday:
DL possible for Bannister — ATLANTA - The Mets have their rotation set for this weekend's series against the Braves at Turner Field, but because Brian Bannister pulled up lame Wednesday in San Francisco, the pitching situation appears cloudy beyond then. — Bannister was diagnosed …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets can be table Turner — ATLANTA - The Braves already have doused cold water on the Mets once this season, halting a feel-good 10-2 start by taking the final two games of a series in Flushing last week. — Now comes a reprise or retribution. — The teams open another series tonight …
NY Daily News:
Relief for Bannister — ATLANTA - An MRI of Brian Bannister's right hamstring revealed the lowest level of strain, not a significant tear, leading the rookie pitcher to hold out hope team brass might let him take his next scheduled start. The righty was forced to leave Wednesday's …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
MRI results good news for Bannister — Right-hander has Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring — ATLANTA — Flights from San Francisco to Atlanta are surprisingly short, a mere four hours. (No wonder the Braves once played in the National League West.)
Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
City to Break Ground With Owner — District officials said yesterday they expect Major League Baseball to name a new owner of the Washington Nationals in time for Thursday's groundbreaking for a $611 million stadium project that the city is building for the team.
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
As Homers Skyrocket, Baseballs Put to the Test — Commissioner Bud Selig has taken notice of the nearly 25 percent increase in home runs in the first month of the season. And he was curious enough about the jump to ask that Major League Baseball test the baseballs, he disclosed yesterday during …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ronald Blum / San Diego Union-Tribune:
MLB hopes to transfer Nationals to new owner by mid-June — NEW YORK - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is likely to pick a new owner for the Washington Nationals within a few days and the team probably will change hands in June, the sport's No. 2 official said Thursday.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Moving Willis by deadline makes sense — Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria keeps denying that the team might trade left-hander Dontrelle Willis, growing increasingly outraged by each new round of speculation. — What Loria can't deny is the sheer logic of moving Willis at the July 31 non-waiver deadline …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Loria tries to snuff out Willis, Cabrera rumors — The owner adamantly insists his two star Marlins are not going anywhere. — Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is a soft-spoken man, but when the topic turned to the future of his marquee players, Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Nady has become popular choice — Everybody loves Xavier. That's hard to believe for someone who was traded for Mike Cameron, the most popular player in the Mets' clubhouse during his two-year stay. But Xavier Nady has made an immediate impact since coming from the Padres in that early November swap …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays' Young suspended indefinitely — Top prospect threw his bat at umpire after being ejected — Delmon Young has been suspended indefinitely by the International League, pending a review of the events in Wednesday night's Durham-Pawtucket game. — Young, 20, the Devil Rays' top prospect …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
Morneau doesn't panic over slump — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Justin Morneau, mired in a hitting slump, spent more than an hour Wednesday watching video on a laptop in the visitors' clubhouse. — Watching video of your swing, huh? — "Nah," the Twins first baseman said. "I was watching the stadium session."
Associated Press:
Mench on hot streak since changing shoe size — ARLINGTON, Texas — It's gotta be the shoes for Kevin Mench. — Since finally getting the right size shoes last week, Mench is on a torrid streak — a Texas Rangers record with home runs in six straight games, including two grand slams, and 20 RBI in a week.
Chad / Redleg Nation:
Exclusive Interview with GM Wayne Krivsky — In this space, we had intended to bring you a big exclusive: an interview with Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky. — Last week, Mr. Krivsky graciously allowed me to pepper him with questions for a half-hour, or so.
