Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Beltran playing with sore knee — All-Star says pain comes and goes, and that treatment helps — WASHINGTON — Carlos Beltran was back in the starting lineup Friday night after being off Thursday and resting his sore right knee. The Mets center fielder said the pain has been diagnosed as tendinitis.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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Ben Walker / Houston Chronicle:
With tabloids humming, Lo Duca hits away — NEW YORK — Several years ago, Paul and Sonia Lo Duca stood inside Shea Stadium and watched a storm erupt. Wide-eyed, they saw the enraged wife of another player stomp into the lobby, so hysterical over a divorce case that security had to intervene.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Big-money gaming denied — As a treat to his players, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria once had the team charter make a surprise stop in Las Vegas on a cross-country trip between San Francisco and Pittsburgh during the 2003 season. The Marlins were mired in a losing streak, and Loria thought it would be a good way to help them unwind.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mulder nets mixed results in minor league start — MEMPHIS — Lefthander Mark Mulder took another step in his seven-week rehab from shoulder stiffness Friday night at Auto Zone Park. The Cardinals will devote this weekend to determining whether it was a sideways shuffle or a step forward.
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Conor Nicholl / MLB.com:
Mulder shaky in second rehab start — Left-hander allows four runs in four innings of work — MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Through two innings, Mark Mulder felt great. The next inning, though, yielded a far different outcome. — Making a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Friday night at AutoZone Park …
Associated Press:
Padres-Astros Preview — The San Diego Padres ' latest slide has knocked them out of first place in the National League West. — The Padres look to avoid losing their fourth straight game when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers bench struggling Jenkins — Milwaukee to take extended look at Gross, Hart — ATLANTA — After waiting in vain for right fielder Geoff Jenkins to get hot, Brewers manager Ned Yost said Friday he planned to bench the slumping veteran for the rest of the season and will spread more playing time to Corey Hart and Gabe Gross.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Girardi was to be fired — PHOENIX — Turns out there was a good reason Sunday for the Marlins to make preparations for an impromptu news conference: Owner Jeffrey Loria was going to announce that he had fired manager Joe Girardi. — But Loria was persuaded to change his mind …
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
The pickup artists — These pitchers get going when the going gets tough — Not to spark any scandals, but a renowned family man is one of baseball's best pickup artists. This is gospel, although gossip columnists need not get worked up. — You can look it up: Curt Schilling …
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Prior to DL? Velocity dip a concern — DENVER — Mark Prior's lost season grew dimmer Friday. — Instead of flying with the Cubs from Milwaukee to Denver, the club sent the right-hander to Chicago to have team physician Stephen Gryzlo examine his shoulder.
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — Cameron Maybin led off yesterday's center field rankings, so he'll pull double duty by leading off today's scouting notebook as well. The 10th overall pick in last year's draft has had an outstanding year in his full-season debut, batting .320/.401/.477 for Low Class A West Michigan …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel — MILWAUKEE — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.
Discussion:
GROTA
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Baker prefers to delay a Cubs callup for Pie
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Tony DeMarco / MLB.com:
Notes: Pierre recalls Rockies days — Lee can start baseball activities Monday; Prior watch continues — DENVER — When Juan Pierre's name was announced to lead off Friday's game, he received a nice ovation from a larger-than-usual crowd at Coors Field. The big contingent of boisterous fans …
MLB.com:
Pirates to host first Pup-Night at PNC Park to benefit animal friends — Pup-Peroni sponsored event to feature pup-friendly activities including pregame auditions for CBS Late Show's Stupid Pet Tricks — WHAT: The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that the organization will host …
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
MLB.com:
Outfielder Jorge Piedra designated for assignment; Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that outfielder Jorge Piedra has been designated for assignment. To take Piedra's place on the roster …
Discussion:
Purple Row
MLB.com:
Washington Nationals pay tribute to Negro Leagues on Friday, August 11 vs. New York Mets — Baseball club kicks off weekend of promotional giveaways with raffle of game-worn replica Homestead Grays uniforms during Friday night celebration — The Washington Nationals will pay tribute …
