Top News:
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Coco given a setup role — CLEVELAND — If there is any consolation for Francisco Cordero, it is in the record that he did not break. — When Cordero blew his fifth save of the month Wednesday, he established a major league record for April. But he did not break the one-month record of seven …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Otsuka in, Coco out as Rangers' closer — The Rangers have tried letting Francisco Cordero work out his problems on the mound while remaining the team's closer. Now, they'll try to let him work them out in a different role. — A club source confirmed Thursday that the Rangers will move Cordero …
Dallas Morning News:
Chat transcript: Patience with Cordero running thin — Richard Durrett: Good morning. We're ready to begin. And I can bet Francisco Cordero will be a hot topic. — rangerfan: Cordero has really struggled this season, but I am also worried about the struggles of C.J. Wilson.
USA Today:
Mench putting best foot forward — At this rate, Kevin Mench might get attention from head to toe, and not just for those two body parts. — The Texas Rangers right fielder has homered in a team-record six consecutive games going into Friday's matchup with the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field …
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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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.
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 …
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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 …
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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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 …
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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 …
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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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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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
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
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Losing seasons, empty seats … The day dawned clear and temperate. The home team entered with a winning record. The opponent was a 2005 division winner led by one of the game's best players. — It seemed a perfect occasion to see a ballgame. And yet, as Orioles starter Kris Benson threw …
