Top News:
NY Daily News:
It's time to face the truth — On the telephone the other day Paul Lo Duca asked this question: — "When does this go away?" — He was referring to stories in the newspaper, some on the front page, about his impending divorce, not even knowing that there would be another story coming …
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NY Daily News:
MLB refused to gamble on Lo Duca tips — Major League Baseball apparently was concerned enough about reports of Paul Lo Duca's possible involvement with online gambling and bookmakers, according to sources, that it sent its security force through spring training this year with a beefed-up message: Be careful who you gamble with.
David Lennon / Newsday:
With Floyd out, club eyes Green — STAFF CORRESPONDENT; Staff writer Ken Davidoff contributed to this notebook. — WASHINGTON - The Mets have asked about Arizona's Shawn Green, a baseball official confirmed Friday night, but any deal could be held up by the fact that the outfielder has a no-trade clause that includes New York.
Discussion:
SportsWorldNY
Zachary Levine / MLB.com:
Michalak saves the day for Cincinnati — Newcomer tosses 6 2/3 solid innings as Reds hang on — PHILADELPHIA — When Chris Michalak woke up on Saturday, he was a 35-year-old Minor Leaguer in a hotel room in Charlotte, N.C. He'd bounced around 10 organizations and was without a whiff of the Majors in four years.
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Ryan Mink / MLB.com:
Yanks' Cano stays hot since return — Second baseman clubs three-run homer for winning margin — NEW YORK — Yankees players and manager Joe Torre went out of their way to make sure they didn't insult Miguel Cairo. He did an adequate job filling in for Robinson Cano for about six weeks, they said.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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John Marshall / Associated Press:
Prior back on DL, could be done for the year — DENVER (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed Mark Prior on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with shoulder tendinitis, a move that could mean an end to the right-hander's season. — Prior has been on the DL eight times in his four-year career in the majors, including three this season.
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox creep closer to Tigers with win — This one came as a bonus, like finding a nice big bone during baseball's Dog Days of August. — Beating the Tigers is really nothing new to the White Sox this season, considering their 8-3 head-to-head mismatch. Beating the Tigers with four unearned runs …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:Contreras notches 1st career shutout
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
If 29 GMs pass on someone, it should be a sign — Giving Wilson chance to latch on with another team was the right call — Second-guessing is so easy, but it would be silly to blame the Astros for the Preston Wilson signing or the club's decision to designate the veteran outfielder for assignment Saturday.
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Brian MacQuarrie / Boston Globe:
A League of Her Own — Remember when Fenway Park felt crusty, creaky, and unsafe? The woman behind its extreme makeover isn't done yet. — Janet Marie Smith, the architect transforming Fenway Park, works in an office that, at first glance, could be confused with a large storage closet.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Vidro on the road back to Nats — Second baseman will begin rehab assignment on Sunday — WASHINGTON — Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro performed baseball activities on Saturday afternoon, and it convinced the organization that he is ready for a rehab assignment.
Discussion:
thurdl sports
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
With Freel, Reds have four in outfield — If his Cincinnati teammates didn't know what he was like before The Catch, they might have thought Ryan Freel had banged his head upon landing, not his belly. — You've seen it, certainly, the diving, fully extended, back-to-the-infield backhand grab …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Upton impresses while he learns — OAKLAND, Calif. - With his butt planted firmly on the ground near third base, B.J. Upton showed some of his dazzling athletic ability Friday by throwing out Oakland's Nick Swisher at first. — As amazing of a play as it was - and the Rays were still raving …
Michael Lazarus / Fox Sports:
Rivera plummets in latest ranking the closers — People will look at this week's closer rankings, see Mariano Rivera at No. 14 and think we're nuts. — Do we think Rivera is just the 14th-best closer in baseball. Of course not. — But for the purpose of these rankings …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Dealer's choices tend to pay — At 72, Lajoie is still a source of sage advice — Bill Lajoie is a veteran deal-maker who even at the ripe old age of 72 has managed to put his touch on two contenders in the same season. Which is why the architect of very good Tiger teams in the '80s …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros designate Wilson for assignment — Move made to make room for rookie right-hander Hirsh — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros were faced with a difficult decison on Saturday when they had to decide who to remove from the 25-man roster in order to open a spot for rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh.
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Moore making changes — Royals general manager dismisses directors of farm system and player personnel. — Moore confirmed Saturday night that two of the club's senior directors, Shaun McGinn and Donny Rowland, have been relieved of their duties. — The search for replacements is ongoing.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Billingsley in the Rotation 'Right Now' — The Dodgers' patience with rookie Chad Billingsley appears to be eroding. After the latest start in which he walked too many and taxed the bullpen again, Manager Grady Little said it was "in discussion" whether Billingsley would make his next start …
