Top News:
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.
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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.
Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:
Hanged By His Own Testimony — This blurb from Ladson needs very little commentary. It pretty much stands on its own. After the lessons of last season, and Bowden's constant preaching about the need for "Pitching, pitching, pitching," the son of a bitch has run out of pitchers already.
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 …
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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 …
Kristie Ackert / NY Daily News:
Single step for Matsui — Key hit helps lift doldrums, Yanks — Within an inning, Hideki Matsui's season seemed to pick up some momentum last night at the plate and in the field. The Yankees' left fielder did not smash out of his hitting slump, but he got a break.
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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 …
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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.
Ronald Blum / San Diego Union-Tribune:MLB hopes to transfer Nationals to new owner by mid-June
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 …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
They need to clear their heads after this beating — CLEVELAND — Now that we have incontrovertible proof Josh Beckett will not go undefeated in his first season with the Red Sox — the next thing you know, Jonathan Papelbon is going to blow a save in 2006 — we interrupt the requisite gnashing …
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Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Somebody please hit 'PLAY' — D-Backs' three-hitter completes three-game sweep against Padres — Bruce Bochy used the word "awful" to describe his Padres yesterday. — Three players chose the word "pathetic." — And one anonymously offered, "It could get worse before it gets better."
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Minor Leagues Update: Who's on first? — Having put 62 minor league games of mileage on his cleats and added 216 at-bats to his lauded swing, Cardinals' top pick Colby Rasmus said he headed off for his first full season of pro ball prepped. But standing in center field a few weeks ago …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Ben Jacobs / Hardball Times:
What's up with the NL Central? — The neat thing about April is that you can find all sorts of goofy looking baseball statistics or situations. For instance, take a look at the NL Central winning percentages. If you prorated those winning percentages over 162 games, here's what the win totals would look like for the six teams:
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."
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Navarro Falters but Gets Backing — Squatter's rights last only so long. Despite votes of confidence all around, catcher Dioner Navarro must improve or risk being nudged aside by prospect Russell Martin. — Ideally, the Dodgers want Navarro, 22, to hold the job all season to give Martin ample time to develop at triple-A Las Vegas.
