Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Source: Sox get Hinske from Jays — The Red Sox traded for slugger Eric Hinske earlier tonight, according to a major league source, a move that should immediately impact the club's lefty-lacking offense. — It was not immediately known what the Red Sox sent the Toronto Blue Jays in return …
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Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Source: Sox sign Haverhill's Pena — According to a source, the Red Sox have signed first baseman Carlos Pena, the former Northeastern star who most recently had been playing for the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate. The club had no comment on the matter prior tonight's game at Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers.
Geoff Baker / Toronto Star:
Jays lose Hinske, game to lowly D-Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A bewildered Eric Hinske stood in the visitors' clubhouse Wednesday night awaiting word on which dugout he'd be in Thursday. — But sources in Boston later confirmed that Hinske would next be playing at Fenway Park …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Notes: Hillenbrand at peace in SF — Giants infielder's intensity has caused him problems in the past — SAN DIEGO — Shea Hilllenbrand knows some people perceive him as a bit strange. Standoffish. Odd sense of humor. Certainly extremely intense. Maybe not a team player.
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Jon Greenberg / MLB.com:
Royals reach deal with Grudzielanek — Kansas City signs second baseman to contract extension — CHICAGO — Before Wednesday's game against the White Sox, a rumor quickly spread through the press box at U.S. Cellular Field that Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was being traded to the Tigers.
Discussion:
Beck's Blog
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander wild in Tigers' loss — Rookie phenom issues seven walks, only one intentionally — BOSTON — Justin Verlander was suspected to be tipping his pitches when he lost to the White Sox last weekend. His loss on Wednesday wasn't a matter of what pitches were coming, but where they were going.
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
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Ryan Mink / MLB.com:
Yanks break ground for new stadium — Ceremony features bows to history, excitement for future — NEW YORK — Armed with shiny baseball bat shovels and Yankees hard hats, those responsible for bringing a new stadium to the New York Yankees and the Bronx dug in on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Church of Baseball
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Sheffield Swings Bat and Makes a Splash — The Yankees finally heard encouraging news about one of their injured star outfielders yesterday. Gary Sheffield saw his hand specialist and was cleared to swing a bat — underwater. — It is a start, at least.
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Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Cubs' O'Malley tosses gem in big-league debut — HOUSTON — Emergency starter Ryan O'Malley pitched eight impressive innings in his major league debut and Michael Barrett homered to help the Chicago Cubs complete a three-game sweep of the slumping Houston Astros with a 1-0 win Wednesday.
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Former NU star Peña is added to the mix — First baseman left Yankees' system — The Red Sox, who have been casting about for a lefthanded hitter for some time, last night came to terms on a deal with Carlos Peña, the Haverhill native and former Northeastern star who has spent the summer in the minor leagues.
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Notes: Punto sidelined by sore knee — Twins, thin on bench, not making a roster move for now — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins' limited number of bench players hadn't really seemed a problem — that is until Nick Punto arrived at the ballpark on Tuesday with a sore left knee.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Ross, Uggla hurting after outfield collision — LOS ANGELES — Right-fielder Cody Ross was on his way to having a career game against his former team Wednesday before he collided with second baseman Dan Uggla while chasing a fly ball. — The players banged knees and Ross had to be helped off the field.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Martinez goes on disabled list — Strained right calf will keep ace out at least two weeks — PHILADELPHIA — To the surprise of a few and to the modest delight of some, Pedro Martinez was again assigned to the disabled list on Wednesday. The strain of a muscle in his right calf …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Dishing From Behind the Dish: Phillies' Coste Continues a Journey — The Phillies' Chris Coste self-published 2,000 copies of a 228-page book about his life in the minors. He was called up from Scranton on May 21. — Chris Coste's second book was done.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Waivers surprise Soriano — Left fielder thought speculation was done after July 31 deadline — WASHINGTON — Left fielder Alfonso Soriano was surprised to learn that he was placed on waivers on Tuesday. He figured that since he wasn't traded before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Pirates hope to Motor in Tigers' path — Blossoming talent, guidance of Littlefield have Bucs headed up — In six weeks, the Pittsburgh Pirates will finish what will be their 14th consecutive losing season and perhaps the team's second 100-loss season in the last six years.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
Who will wear the AL crown? — Not only has the National League transformed into Quadruple-A, as far as I can tell the Dodgers and Mets are the only two NL teams capable of doing anything in October. And by "anything," I mean not "getting swept in the World Series."
Associated Press:
Froemming umpires 5,000th game — BOSTON (AP) — Bruce Froemming's day began with a few congratulatory phone calls early in the morning. His family was in town to watch him work, and he was honored during an on-field ceremony at Fenway Park. — It's not often an umpire is in the spotlight for doing something good.
