Top News:
Larry Millson / Globe and Mail:
Jays brush aside turmoil, Yankees — Toronto takes 3 of 4, putting to rest Hillenbrand saga — TORONTO — Shea Hillenbrand is with the San Francisco Giants now and the pitcher the Toronto Blue Jays obtained for him, Jeremy Accardo, saw his first American League action in yesterday's 13-5 victory over the New York Yankees.
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:Zaun tells his side of Hillenbrand saga
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Elizabeth Aguilar / MLB.com:
Dodgers acquire LaMura for Alomar — Catcher traded for Double-A pitcher; Repko to be activated — LOS ANGELES — With the team caught in a tailspin, the Dodgers announced a move after Sunday's 6-1 loss. Sandy Alomar was sent to the White Sox in exchange for right-hander BJ LaMura …
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Associated Press:
Padres-Dodgers Preview — The San Diego Padres are in first place in the NL West, but they have been struggling since the All-Star break. They will face the worst team since the break Monday when they open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Young starts opener at Dodger Stadium — San Diego (51-47) at Los Angeles (47-52), 7:10 p.m. PT — It's always hot stuff when the Padres and Dodgers get together, but that's especially the case when both are involved in the National League West race. — Despite recent struggles by both clubs …
ESPN:
Source: ChiSox 'extremely close' to Soriano deal — The White Sox are "extremely close" to trading for Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano, a source close to the situation told ESPN The Magazine's Tim Kurkjian. The Nationals have great interest in pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
Discussion:
The Sporting Brews
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Win, Soriano Watch Escalates — Kasten Weighs In On Slugger's Status : Nationals 7, Cubs 1 — He draws the loudest cheers, hits the longest home runs, smiles the brightest smile. When Alfonso Soriano launched a ball deep toward left field yesterday at RFK Stadium …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Learn a Lesson About Maintaining Focus — Aaron Heilman fielded Chris Burke's grounder; his mistake was taking it to first. Burke beat him to the bag. — Despite what it says on the schedule, the Mets will probably not play their next meaningful game until October.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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George King / New York Post:
BOMBERS' ABREU BID REJECTED — July 24, 2006 — TORONTO - The Yankees have made an offer to the Phillies for outfielder Bobby Abreu that was immediately turned down because it didn't include major league-ready talent or top prospect Phil Hughes. — Like other teams, the Yankees believe …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Cabrera Is a Royal Pain for Brown — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Orlando Cabrera is an outgoing player, often fraternizing with opponents during batting practice and chatting them up on the basepaths, but the Angels shortstop is not exactly making friends with Kansas City Royals outfielder Emil Brown.
Discussion:
Chronicles of the Lads
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Associated Press:
Just win, baby — Like Valenzuela, Weaver wins first seven starts — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Even without his best stuff, Jered Weaver won again. — Struggling early with his breaking ball, the 6-foot-7 right-hander still became the first rookie in 25 years to win his first seven starts Sunday …
Julian Garcia / NY Daily News:
Paul's rule of thumb: play hurt — While Paul Lo Duca thinks he may have a broken bone or an injured ligament in the hand he slips into his catcher's mitt, he has no intention of finding out exactly what the problem is anytime soon. — "It doesn't matter," Lo Duca said.
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — 2B Alberto Callaspo, Triple-A Tucson (Diamondbacks) — Callaspo is on another roll, with Sunday's five-hit performance as part of Tucson's 28-5 drubbing of Salt Lake representing his fifth consecutive multi-hit game. It's a streak in which he's gone 15-for-27 with a pair of doubles …
NY Daily News:
Pedro starts day with cheer — Pedro Martinez bounded into the Met clubhouse yesterday morning with a wide grin and greetings for teammates, reporters and everyone else inside. — "Happy morning, everyone," Martinez exclaimed. His buoyancy was the first sign that he was OK after Saturday's 80-pitch throwing session.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Maybe 3rd time's the charm for Hill — Cubs hope lefty can translate minor fame into major success — WASHINGTON — Left-hander Rich Hill will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start for the Cubs against St. Louis on Thursday night at Wrigley Field. But which Hill shows up is anyone's guess.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Mittless Bowen makes crucial play at the plate — SAN FRANCISCO - Most catchers require a mitt to get an out at home plate. — Not Rob Bowen. The Padres catcher made a barehanded catch and tagout yesterday to record the biggest out in San Diego's 6-5 win over the Giants.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox can't get handle on Seattle — SEATTLE — Manny Ramírez may have done the smartest thing any Red Sox outfielder did yesterday afternoon when he took advantage of a break in the action in the sixth inning — reliever Craig Hansen was trotting in to pitch — to grab a seat in the Sox bullpen.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins unlikely to make major moves — Florida's GM and manager say team likely to stay the course — MIAMI — Barring something overwhelming that would pique their interest, the Marlins are unlikely to make any major moves before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins could use Lee's power — CLEVELAND - Several major league scouts sat in the Jacobs Field press lounge before Sunday's Twins game, sipping coffee and talking smart. — CLEVELAND - Several major league scouts sat in the Jacobs Field press lounge before Sunday's Twins game, sipping coffee and talking smart.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com


