Top News:
Michael Becker / Los Angeles Times:
Gagne May Face Back Surgery — Eric Gagne could be facing back surgery that would end his season and, with free agency pending, possibly his career-long affiliation with the Dodgers. — An MRI showed as many as two herniated disks in the relief pitcher's lower back, which could be corrected by surgery.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Gagne might need back surgery — Side injury keeps Kent out another game; Tomko improving — LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne has a herniated disk that will require surgery to repair if he does not respond immediately to an epidural nerve block procedure performed Thursday.
John Nadel / Associated Press:
Gagne might need back surgery — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, limited to 16 appearances since the beginning of last season because of elbow problems, might need back surgery. — The 30-year-old right-hander was admitted to St. Vincent Medical Center on Wednesday …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Newcomer to Pitch Sunday — CLEVELAND, July 6 — Growing up in Tampa, Fla., Kris Wilson had two dreams. — "I wanted to be Terry Bradshaw and I wanted to be Nolan Ryan," Wilson said. "Turns out, I was neither." — Wilson, a former quarterback, quit football after his redshirt season at Georgia Tech …
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Associated Press:
Right hip pain forces Mets to place Pedro on DL — NEW YORK — All-Star ace Pedro Martinez was placed on the disabled list by the New York Mets on Thursday because of pain in his right hip. — Martinez missed his scheduled start on Monday and can now rest through the All-Star break.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Pelfrey to start Saturday; Pedro on DL — An ailing right hip has landed pitcher Pedro Martinez on the 15-day disabled list and rookie Mike Pelfrey will make his major-league debut this weekend, the Mets announced Thursday — The much-talked-about rookie Pelfrey will start one of the two games …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Nomar, A.J. named Final Vote winners — Dodgers first baseman, White Sox catcher join All-Star squads — Nomar Garciaparra and A.J. Pierzynski were American League All-Star teammates in 2002, the year that the Final Vote was introduced by MLB.com. They did not have to rely on it to be selected …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Zimmerman on his own — Robinson using a different philosophy for third baseman — WASHINGTON — During his rookie season with the Reds, in 1956, Frank Robinson received a lot of advice from manager Birdie Tebbetts about the game of baseball. Now a manager himself …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds acquire Guardado from Mariners — Veteran reliever expected to take over closer role — ATLANTA — Reinforcements are coming to help the Reds' beleaguered bullpen. — Cincinnati acquired veteran left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado from the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for pitching prospect Travis Chick and cash.
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Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Selig up front about absence — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — About 10 minutes before last night's game a fan in the second deck of Tropicana Field yelled, ``That knee looks fine, Manny. Let's go. Despite the pleas of that fan and of Major League Baseball, it still appears Manny Ramírez …
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Associated Press:
Padres-Phillies Preview — The San Diego Padres changed their luck against the Philadelphia Phillies with one swing. — One night after ending an 11-game losing streak to the Phillies with a ninth-inning homer, the Padres look to win a series against them for the first time in nearly four years …
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Associated Press:
Astros 4, Cardinals 2 — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros had just enough offense and plenty of defense to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. — Mike Lamb homered in the first inning and Lance Berkman made two pinpoint throws from right field …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards still in market for hitter — HOUSTON — As recently as Monday afternoon, Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty maintained that finding another hitter remained a higher priority than acquiring help for a tattered starting rotation. But when a deal for Los Angeles Angels righthander …
Chuck King / Palm Beach Post:
Free to play ball — JUPITER — His name is Amaury Cazana Marti. At least, the St. Louis Cardinals are pretty sure. — His age? Depends whom you ask. Marti, who came to this country from Cuba a little more than a year ago, insists he's 27. Without a birth certificate or proof otherwise …
Baseball America:
Daily Dish: July 5 — High Class A Lake Elsinore's offense provided plenty of fireworks Tuesday, hitting three homers in the Storm's 17-2 win at Inland Empire. — Third baseman Chase Headley had the line of the day for Lake Elsinore, going 3-for-4 with his 10th home run and his 19th double of the season.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Blogosphere therapy — Some Cubs fans take to the Internet to vent their vitriol over the team and manager Dusty Baker — From the streets of Wrigleyville to the hearts of Texas and Utah and every Cubs fans' wired outpost, many fed-up fans have replaced a bar stool with an office chair and bellied up to their computer desk.
Rick Braun / JSOnline:
Notes: Intriguing prospect — Melvin reportedly trying to acquire Greg Maddux — rbraun@journalsentinel.com — Having entered play Thursday just 3½ games out of first in the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are in a position to be a buyer rather than a seller …
Dallas Morning News:
Chat wrap: Move Tex from cleanup? — Evan Grant: Afternoon, everybody. Here to answer your questions, but please let's hold off on trying to figure out if the Rangers can win the AL West with a .500 record — BReed: Am I the only one who thinks its time to bring up Volquez and see what the kid really has?
