Top News:
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Bay, Sanchez tabbed as NL All-Stars — Outfielder earns starting role; infielder tops among write-ins — PITTSBURGH — Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez won't have to worry about cleaning out their lockers at PNC Park to make room for the visiting National League All-Stars.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Pedro to miss next start — The health of Pedro Marti.nez officially has become a concern for the Mets, and if there's one thing that can darken an otherwise brilliant first half of the season, this is it. — Martinez was one of six Mets selected yesterday to next week's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Fans should select Nomar, Liriano to final spots — Voters, this is easy. Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra deserves the final spot on the National League All-Star team, Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano the final spot for the A.L. — I selected Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander …
Discussion:
Nick & Nick's Twins Blog
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Littlefield not writing off Bucs' season despite midseason record — Littlefield not writing off Bucs' season despite midseason record — PITTSBURGH (AP) — General manager Dave Littlefield refuses to concede this has been a lost season for the Pittsburgh Pirates even though they are losing nearly two of every three games.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
The choice is yours in Final Vote — Fans get to choose the final All-Star for each league — They are 10 Major League players who have appeared in a combined 5,445 career games, ranging from the 1,408 by All-Star veteran Bobby Abreu of the Phillies to the 18 for hot rookie pitcher Justin Verlander of the Tigers.
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StatsGuru / Baseball Musings:
All-Star Selections — I just saw part of the NL starting lineup for the All-Star Game, and the only problem I have with the voters is Soriano. However, most of the voting was done before his slump hit. I think the NL could have done better. — Update: Bonds and Biggio were left off the team.
Mr. Faded Glory / High and Tight:Tomorrow's All-Stars, Today
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding, Rays Index, St. Louis Cardinals Blog, NY Mets Blog and striketwo.net
Contra Costa Times:
A's All-Stars as elusive as hits — THE AMERICAN LEAGUE All-Star team was announced Sunday. Stop us if you've heard this one before — the A's offense got shut out. — So profound is the team's inability to put bat on ball at this point that manager Ken Macha couldn't even feign indignance.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Cubs club Buehrle, White Sox 15-11 — CHICAGO — Angel Pagan looked like a man ready to party. — BOX SCORE: Cubs 15, White Sox 11 — The rookie wore a pinstriped suit, shades and a silver chain with a cross after hitting his first two career homers on his 25th birthday.
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Bleed Cubbie Blue:
Scoop! — I'll write a few notes on today's highly entertaining 15-11 Cub win over the White Sox in a moment. — First, I want to tell you of a trade rumor I heard today, and you're going to dismiss it, but I heard this from a source I trust, and it makes sense on a number of different levels.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Moehler to have an MRI on foot — Right-hander Brian Moehler will undergo an MRI on his sore right foot today and is hoping he'll be able to come off the disabled list shortly after next week's All-Star break. — ''The X-rays were negative. There's no stress fracture,'' said Moehler …
Discussion:
Fish Chunks
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Notes: Kinney called up to help 'pen — Redbirds to carry 13 pitchers on temporary basis — ST. LOUIS — With a bullpen stretched to its seams, the Cardinals called for a reinforcement on Sunday. Right-hander Josh Kinney had his contract purchased from Triple-A Memphis, and outfielder Timo Perez was optioned to Memphis.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Murray Chass / New York Times:
No-Hitter Requires a Complete Game — THERE are as many no-hitters in the front office of the Los Angeles Angels as there have been in the major leagues for more than four seasons. — Bill Stoneman, the general manager of the Angels, pitched two no-hitters for Montreal, one in 1969 and the other in 1972.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
July 31 fire sale not on Hendry's agenda — General manager Jim Hendry said Sunday there will be no "fire sale" of his players by the July 31 trading deadline, which suggests disappointing Cubs stars Aramis Ramirez, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are safe for now.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Hill to DL; Astacio Is Activated — The Washington Nationals placed starting pitcher Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list yesterday, retroactive to Thursday, and reinstated Pedro Astacio from the 60-day disabled list. — Hill experienced inflammation in his right elbow after his last start Wednesday …
Los Angeles Times:
Another Setback for Gagne, Who's Not Ready to Throw — Eric Gagne called off a scheduled throwing session Friday after telling a physical therapist that he wasn't ready to take the next step in his recovery from an elbow injury, Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said.
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Arroyo to represent Reds in Pittsburgh — Spring acquisition only Cincinnati player to make All-Star team — CINCINNATI — Starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo wasn't even expected to make the Red Sox rotation before Boston dealt him in March. — But Arroyo has repeatedly proven to be the perfect fit for the Reds pitching staff.
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
Associated Press:
Giants-Padres Preview — The San Diego Padres think that starter Chris Young deserves a spot on the All-Star team. The way he's been pitching, he just might end up there. — Young tries for his fifth straight victory when the Padres wrap up a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants Sunday at Petco Park.
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