Top News:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
All eyes on Pelfrey; Reyes out — To say the Mets didn't agonize about which game of Saturday's doubleheader to start prized rookie righthander Mike Pelfrey would be an understatement. Manager Willie Randolph joked that he "just flipped a coin" when he decided Pelfrey's major-league debut …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Reyes receives seven stitches in finger — All-Star shortstop will miss final three games before break — NEW YORK — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes received seven stitches in his left pinky on Friday night after being spiked by Florida first baseman Mike Jacobs on a head-first slide in the sixth inning.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Anticipation building for Pelfrey's start — Buzz begins early for big right-hander's Saturday debut — NEW YORK — Mike Pelfrey still has one day to wait before being officially added to the Mets' Major League roster, but his presence was already being felt on Friday …
Mike S. / Mike's Mets:
A Look at the Future This Weekend? — If nothing else, the Mets decision to call up Mike Pelfrey to pitch one of the games against the Marlins at Shea tomorrow has generated a level and buzz and excitement far beyond what reaching down to the system for an emergency starter should generate.
ESPN:
ESPN.com's Ultimate All-Star Game … The All-Star Game is supposed to be an annual showcase reserved only for the greatest major league players of the moment. But who would win a showdown between the best all-time National Leaguers and the best all-time American Leaguers?
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:Contreras promoted to top of Sox rotation
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Associated Press:
Oswalt, Ordonez added to All-Star squads — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt and Detroit outfielder Magglio Ordonez were added to the All-Star rosters Friday, taking the place of injured Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez. — Ordonez will join Detroit teammates Ivan Rodriguez …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Kevin Yanik / MLB.com:
Oswalt named to NL All-Star squad — Right-hander will replace injured Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez — HOUSTON — Roy Oswalt is going to the All-Star Game after all. — Oswalt was named to the National League squad Friday afternoon and replaces Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Yahoo! Sports:
Cardinals designate RHP Ponson for assignment — HOUSTON (Ticker) - What began as a nice season for Sidney Ponson has evolved into a disappointing one. — Ponson, who began his first campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals with a 4-0 record, was designated for assignment by the team Friday.
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cleveland.indians.mlb.com:
Indians sign Taiwanese right-handed pitcher Sung-Wei Tseng — Pitched for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic and currently the No. 1 starter for the Chinese Taipei National Team touring the U.S. — CLEVELAND — Tseng, 21, pitched for Chinese Taipei in the 2006 World Baseball Classic …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
NL teams look to move as deadline nears — Every National League contender has multiple flaws — even the Mets, who probably could use two starting pitchers, not just one. — The challenge for each team will be to rank its needs, then address them. A thin trade market only increases the degree of difficulty.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: Halos get creative with lineup — Scioscia does some shifting against A's Zito on Friday — OAKLAND — Manager Mike Scioscia looked at his personnel and at the opposing pitcher on Friday and thought it was a good time to juggle his lineup. — A's left-hander Barry Zito took the mound …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker denies contract offer — Internet report says manager turned down deal — MILWAUKEE — Dusty Baker denied an Internet report Friday that said he had turned down a contract extension from the Cubs within the last two months. — The alleged offer to Baker was for between $4 million …
Associated Press:
Mascot charged with fondling fan — GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — A man who played the mascot for a minor league baseball team was arrested after a woman said she was fondled at a game in April. — Cecil McLaurin Amick III, 37, of Boiling Springs, portrays Reedy Rip'It, a giant frog …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Thome is carrying a big stick … Halfway through another baseball season, here's what we're wondering: — Is Jonathan Papelbon going to give up fewer runs all season than Eddie Guardado gave up in his first inning of the season (three)? Are we really about to see a catcher (the amazing Joe Mauer) do a Ted Williams?
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Gagne to have surgery, done for season — Dodgers closer shelved with herniated disk in back — LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne's season, all two innings of it, is over. — Gagne will undergo lower back surgery Saturday at St. Vincent's Hospital to repair a herniated disk between the L4-L5 vertebrae …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Scout's honor — The sound of twisting metal woke up the whole neighborhood. There had been a nasty accident. A 16-year-old fussing with the radio lost control of his car, crashed into a parked one and thrust it into the next driveway. The kid was OK, just nervous that the guy whose car he destroyed might kill him.
Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Rays set to battle Yankees — New York (48-35) at Tampa Bay (38-48), 7:15 p.m. ET — The Rays hope to ride their recent success against the Red Sox into a weekend set they'll play with the Yankees before heading into the All-Star break. On Thursday evening, Tampa Bay missed an opportunity …

