Top News:
Associated Press:
New grand jury to look at Bonds allegations — SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds will not be indicted immediately, but the ongoing federal investigation of steroids and possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against the San Francisco Giants star will continue, prosecutors said Thursday.
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Associated Press:
Prosecutors extend Bonds investigation; no indictment Thursday — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — They aren't through with Barry Bonds, not yet. — The federal grand jury considering possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against the star slugger expired Thursday without an indictment.
Associated Press:Padres-Giants Preview — The San Francisco Giants look to win …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Ben Walker / Associated Press:Glavine: Unresolved Bonds case still 'a cloud over baseball'
Discussion:
The Catbird …
ESPN:
Jays manager Gibbons challenged Hillenbrand to fight — TORONTO — After Shea Hillenbrand wrote on the clubhouse bulletin board that the "ship was sinking," Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged him to a fight. — "He challenged me to a fight, and wanted me to get up and punch him in the face …
Discussion:
Nick & Nick's Twins Blog
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Venting Hillenbrand Is Dispatched to Minors by the Angry Blue Jays — TORONTO, July 20 — The whiteboard next to the refrigerator in the home clubhouse at the Rogers Center usually lists the pregame schedule for the Toronto Blue Jays. Before Wednesday's game, according to Manager John Gibbons …
Rob Gillies / Associated Press:
Hillenbrand cut after criticizing Blue Jays, refusing to sit in dugout — TORONTO (AP) — Shea Hillenbrand was cut by the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night after he was chastised during a team meeting and refused to sit in the dugout with his teammates. — Hours before, Hillenbrand criticized …
Associated Press:
Braves get relief — Indians trade closer Wickman for minor leaguer — ATLANTA (AP) — Since the start of spring training, Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz has called his bullpen "a work in progress." — No longer. — Sensing a playoff surge, the Braves traded …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Braves trade prospect for Indians closer Wickman … The Atlanta Braves, looking for bullpen help as they make a run at the National League wild card, acquired closer Bob Wickman from Cleveland for minor league catcher Max Ramirez on Thursday. — Wickman, 37, is 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA and 15 saves this season.
MLB.com:
Indians and Braves complete trade — Closer RHP Bob Wickman sent to Atlanta; Indians receive C Max Ramirez from the Braves — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves, sending RHP Bob Wickman to Atlanta in exchange for C Max Ramirez.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Guillen: MLB now game for 'weasels' — Longs for time when it was 'man's game' — DETROIT — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he's fed up about the lack of action of today's players when they take exception to an opponent. — Guillen wasn't singling out Detroit's Craig Monroe …
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Another setback for Dotel — Reliever reports soreness following latest rehab outing — TORONTO — Just when it looked like Octavio Dotel was ready to return from the disabled list and give the Yankees' bullpen a boost, the right-hander suffered another setback on Thursday afternoon, clouding his timetable.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Minor League Report: Memphis Blues — Searching for ways to spur a club that has struggled by way of an overtly inactive offense and an overactive roster, Class AAA Memphis manager Danny Sheaffer has convened his coaches to brainstorm approaches. — They tried guys in unexpected spots in the lineup.
Jack Magruder / eastvalleytribune.com:
Notebook: Mets check out Batista, Cruz — The New York Mets have scouted the starts by Miguel Batista and Juan Cruz the last two days amid reports they were looking for more pitching for the stretch run, and the teams have had preliminary conversations about a possible deadline trade.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Randa not entirely without destinations — MIAMI — Joe Randa is skeptical he will be traded, no matter how hard the Pirates try. — And he has cause: There is not much demand for third basemen around Major League Baseball as the July 31 trading deadline nears.
Associated Press:
Oneonta beats Brooklyn 6-1 in 26 innings — NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly after Oneonta beat Brooklyn 6-1 in 26 innings Thursday, Mark Wright could hardly believe he had played in the longest game in New York-Penn League history. — "It kind of gets to the point where you get in a rhythm …
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Bryan Tsao / Hardball Times:
Contending Holes: American League — On September 27 of last season, the A's took the field in Anaheim, Calif. with their season on the line. Having roared back from being over 10 games under .500 in the first half, the A's needed a win in the second game of their season-ending series …
