Top News:
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Gonzalez retires after 13 seasons — Phils' veteran infielder hadn't acclimated to backup role — PHILADELPHIA — Alex Gonzalez grounded to third in the eighth inning of Saturday's 8-4 loss to Boston. — The next morning, the Phillies infielder grounded his career, retiring after 1,396 games and 13 seasons.
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Dan Hickling / MLB.com:
Wells declares himself ready to return — Veteran left-hander pleased with five-inning rehab start — MOOSIC, Pa. — One day removed from his 43rd birthday, and five weeks after his last pitch in anger, Boston Red Sox left-hander David Wells pronounced himself fit and ready to return …
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Wells is still able to talk good game — PHILADELPHIA — David Wells turned 43 yesterday, and while he said he feels 10 years older, his mouth hasn't slowed down a bit, as he demonstrated anew in a 30-minute group interview in which he weighed in on Barry Bonds's alleged steroid use and …
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Post-collision contact sends Barrett over the edge — The fight might not be over, even though Cubs catcher Michael Barrett has yet to respond to White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski's offer to talk about their blowup and settle their differences out of the spotlight.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Wood feeling some soreness — Right-hander skips work on Sunday; may throw Monday — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has some soreness in his right shoulder and will not start on Tuesday if he does not pass his next side session. — Wood did not throw on Sunday, which would've been a normal side session.
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Notes: Lawton sent packing — Veteran designated for assignment; Morse called up — SEATTLE — With playing time becoming increasingly infrequent for Matt Lawton, the Seattle Mariners decided to sever ties with the veteran outfielder by designating him for assignment before Saturday's game against San Diego.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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Associated Press:
Padres-Mariners Preview — Chan Ho Park has made the most of his recent outings at Safeco Field. — He'll try to win his fifth straight decision at Safeco on Sunday afternoon when the San Diego Padres try to avoid a three-game sweep by the Seattle Mariners .
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Park tries to put away Mariners — San Diego (23-20) at Seattle (19-24), 1:05 p.m. PT — If records are a true gauge, there's something about the daylight that brings out the aggression — and the best — in the Padres. — Chan Ho Park, who faces young Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez …
Daren Smith / minorleaguebaseball.com:
Mets bring Soler to The Show — Right-hander has dominated Florida State, Eastern Leagues — After reaching out to Triple-A Norfolk in recent weeks for a pair of veteran pitchers, the New York Mets have turned to Double-A Binghamton and one of their top prospects.
Discussion:
Betty's No Good Clothes Shop …, Amazin' Avenue, www.transplantedmetsfan.com and Metsblog.com
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Brian Moritz / Press & Sun-Bulletin:
Pelfrey struggles, but B-Mets sweep — BINGHAMTON — The Binghamton Mets broke out of their offensive funk with a pair of one-run victories Saturday night. — The B-Mets, who had lost seven of their last eight games, rallied to defeat the Altoona Curve, 3-2, in eight innings in the second of two games at NYSEG Stadium.
Mark Brunswick / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins, Gophers score stadium victories — By a narrow 34 to 32 vote, the Senate put the final touches on a new $522 million downtown stadium for the Twins, ending an extraordinary run of legislative success. — The Minnesota Twins had to wait until nearly sunrise Sunday, but it in the end it was worth it.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
To Joy and Resentment, Bonds Matches Ruth — OAKLAND, Calif., May 20 — After Barry Bonds hit a solo home run Saturday to equal Babe Ruth's career total of 714, he circled the bases amid plenty of cheering and an undercurrent of booing. It was indicative of the ambivalence surrounding Bonds's quest …
Discussion:
Only Baseball Matters
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Kinsler showing signs of progress — HOUSTON - Ian Kinsler continues to make progress in his medical rehabilitation and could rejoin the Rangers as early as Monday. — Kinsler has been at Triple A Oklahoma and had a breakout game Friday night, going 3-for-4 with a home run against Salt Lake.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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NY Daily News:
Wagner case not closed — Hints at a Willie mistake — In the losing clubhouse, Billy Wagner was taking the blame in stand-up fashion for his unfathomable meltdown. If he said he (stunk) once, he must have said it a dozen times. — If he had left it at that, the Mets could move …
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: McCann remains optimistic — Catcher says left ankle is beginning to feeling better — PHOENIX — Much of the optimism Brian McCann possessed when he left Chase Field on Saturday night had diminished by the time he returned on Sunday morning. — But after the Braves closed …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Matthews feeling strong — Outfielder off to solid start despite missing Spring Training — HOUSTON — White Sox first baseman Dick Allen missed all of Spring Training in 1972 because of a contract dispute. He didn't bother signing anything until right before Opening Day.
Jon Heyman / Newsday:
Don't cry for Larry; soon he'll be $40M richer — The part about the talks being kept quiet has got to please Dolan, anyway. — Nets connection — As far as the New York basketball scene is concerned, the best thing would be for rising superstar LeBron James to join his buddy Jay-Z …
