Top News:
Boston Globe:
Padres appear to have edge in Wells talks — OAKLAND, Calif. — David Wells is still scheduled to face Toronto's Roy Halladay tonight at Fenway Park when the Red Sox begins a 10-game homestand, but barring a last-minute change of heart by general manager Theo Epstein, it's likely …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
BoSox close in on Wells trade; Padres likely buyer … The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Triple-A catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres will add Seanez, Cassidy — PHOENIX - Relievers Rudy Seanez and Scott Cassidy soon will rejoin the Padres. — Seanez, cut by Boston last week, cleared waivers and has reached an oral agreement with San Diego, which plans to activate him before tomorrow's game against the Reds.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers owner looks ahead to winter — Owner not conceding AL West, but hot A's are pulling away — ARLINGTON - Rangers owner Tom Hicks won't concede the AL West race. But he sure did come close Wednesday. — Returning to Ameriquest Field after watching his team lose two of three …
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Ken Daley / MLB.com:
Notes: Owner pleased with Daniels — GM was busy with a series of transactions last winter — ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks admittedly is disappointed with what appears to be his seventh consecutive year without a playoff team. But one thing that has pleased him has been the performance …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Owner gives his take on team — ARLINGTON - Despite a contract that could pay Kevin Millwood $60 million over five years, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said Wednesday he would be willing to make a similar commitment to the right free-agent pitcher. — He probably won't get the chance …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Lester tested for cancer — OAKLAND, Calif. - Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club's most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back.
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Boston Globe:
Reports: Lester has enlarged lymph nodes — Among the things he is being tested for is cancer — While it's still unclear how serious the situation is, unidentified Red Sox sources early this morning told NESN that rookie pitcher Jon Lester has enlarged lymph nodes, and that among the things he is being tested for is cancer.
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lester reportedly tested for cancer — Red Sox rookie on disabled list with back injury — OAKLAND — While most of the health-related problems that have plagued the Red Sox in recent days have been well-publicized, there appears to be another one developing behind the scenes.
Associated Press:
Wang steps up again for Yankees, shuts down Tigers — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang has overtaken Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina to become the New York Yankees' ace. — Wang tied Toronto's Roy Halladay and Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox …
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StarTribune.com:
Twins lose Castillo, game to the Royals — Kansas City made it two victories in a row, and Minnesota's troubles were compounded when its second baseman got hurt. — Hitless in his past 15 at-bats, Joe Mauer is struggling through his biggest slump of the season, with his major league-leading average down to .350.
David Lennon / Greenwich Time:
David's grand slam leads another rout, dispels talk of slump — DENVER - Maybe now the questions will stop for David Wright. For weeks, Wright heard that his deepening slump was caused by everything from the home-run derby to his new $55-million contract to using the wrong toothbrush.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:After Winning by a Mile, Mets Reach the Highest Ground
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Francona: Reports on Ortiz are encouraging — OAKLAND, Calif. — Try as he might, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he was unable to reach David Ortiz yesterday on his cellphone. — ``His [message] box was full," Francona said. ``And I have the hot line."
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:Repeat sweep — Sox limp home after dropping sixth in a row
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' Offense Stands Out, but Defense Is Overlooked — For the last 11 games, the Mets have fielded every ground ball cleanly, caught every fly ball without incident and thrown every ball on target. And yet over the same span, the most prominent story lines have centered on David Wright's slump …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Boston Globe:
Sox tickets? Suddenly, they're not so hot — As team slides, demand cools and deals abound — Just a few weeks ago, it was a nearly impossible ticket to get — the Red Sox at home. Now, tickets to Sox games are not only available, they can be had for face value or less.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Girardi back quickly after watching team win in absence — · Manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday admitted feeling more at ease watching his club from the bench than from his family room. At least the Marlins provided quality programming. — Girardi was back in the dugout Wednesday …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rivera and Giambi Taking Medical Tests — Mariano Rivera and Jason Giambi played in yesterday's doubleheader, so their health status is not alarming to the Yankees. But the team was concerned enough about them to schedule magnetic resonance imaging exams.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards' Bennett leaves with back sprain — Cleared to play, Molina takes over despite strained right elbow — ST. LOUIS — Bad news collided with good news for the Cardinals catchers on Wednesday night. — Yadier Molina was cleared to play on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a muscle strain in his right elbow.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tulowitzki gives glimpse of future … Troy Tulowitzki stood outside the Rockies' clubhouse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, searching for a cellphone signal. Through his eyes, it was easy to see the excitement over what the 21-year-old called the greatest day of his life.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Guillen claims no intent to plunk — CHICAGO - With all that was said and what else was implied after Delmon Young's eventful debut, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had a few things he wanted to say Wednesday. — Guillen said he did not order starter Freddy Garcia to hit Young …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
