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 …
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
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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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Abreu again a Final Vote candidate — Phillies right fielder aims to win competition a second time — TORONTO — Fans who want to see Bobby Abreu possibly defend his CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby title have been called upon to step forward and send the Phillies right fielder to Pittsburgh.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Utley, Howard and Gordon earn berths — Right side of infield to join closer at July 11 All-Star Game — TORONTO — It had long been predicted that Ryan Howard and Chase Utley would have careers peppered with All-Star appearances. — That era began on Sunday, when the right side …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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 …
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.
Mr. Faded Glory / High and Tight:
Tomorrow's All-Stars, Today — I've been watching shop.mlb.com for the past week or so, because they always tend to jump the gun on upcoming sales items (who could forget this little nugget of goodness): — (and if you really believe the MLB bulls**t that this was actually a "hoax" you need your head examined)
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding, Rays Index, St. Louis Cardinals Blog, NY Mets Blog and striketwo.net
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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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Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Notes: Henderson helping Reyes — All-time stolen base leader returns to mentor Mets' young star — NEW YORK — Jose Reyes said a huge part of his success in the first half of the season can be attributed to Rickey Henderson. Henderson, the all-time stolen bases leader with 1,406 …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Los Angeles Times:
DePodesta Lands Front-Office Job With Padres — The San Diego Padres hired former Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta as special assistant for baseball operations Friday. — DePodesta was fired by the Dodgers on Oct. 29, a month after they finished a 91-loss season.
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Mauer makes All-Star cut with Santana — Twins' two Major League stats leaders will head to Pittsburgh — MINNEAPOLIS — Johan Santana and Joe Mauer make up one of the most formidable pitcher-catcher duos in the Major Leagues. — And now they can add the title "All-Star" to that distinction.
Discussion:
Batgirl
Kevin Fiorenzo / MLB.com:
Johnson goes for his fourth straight win — Boston (49-29) at Florida (35-42), 1:05 p.m. ET — The Marlins have a shot at taking two out of three from the Red Sox on Sunday, but they'll have do it with a beat up roster. — In the first inning of Saturday's 11-5 loss to Boston …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Exam shows Mulder making progress — Left-hander remains at least 10 days away from throwing — ST. LOUIS — Mark Mulder showed encouraging progress in a follow-up examination with Dr. George Paletta on Saturday, but the left-hander remains at least 10 days away from being cleared to throw a baseball.
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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Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Catcher Montero is top available prospect … Since 1965, major-league teams have relied on the amateur draft to find players who they hope will become stars in the near future. — But the richest and cheapest source of talent can be found in the international market, especially in Latin America, and not in North American schools.
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