Top News:
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
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Bad shoulder puts Crisp on sidelines — OAKLAND, Calif. - The Red Sox' unimaginable string of injuries and misfortune incurred another addition yesterday when Coco Crisp was scratched from the starting lineup just before the 7-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics with a strained left shoulder.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
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.
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."
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:Repeat sweep — Sox limp home after dropping sixth in a row
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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.
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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'
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Really, really foul ball sinks Cubs — Baker, players shell-shocked after Dempster, Cubs blow a 2-run lead in the 11th to conclude their nightmarish 0-6 trip — PITTSBURGH — The more the Cubs struggle in the National League Central, the easier it is for players to tune out the media with iPods and video games.
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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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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:Girardi returns to Marlins after riding out Ernesto
Discussion:
FishStripes
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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StarTribune.com:
Radke will miss next start; Baker will face Yankees — Twins veteran Brad Radke had another setback with his right shoulder Wednesday, and the team made plans to promote Scott Baker from Class AAA Rochester to take his next turn in the rotation. — That will come Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
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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.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
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 …
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.
MLB.com:
Venezuela survives USA's late homer — United State ties game in ninth, but loses first qualifier — Bryan LaHair cranked a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough as Team USA lost its first game in pool play to Venezuela, 12-9, in 11 innings on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
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 …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Notebook: Eckstein's rehab — Eckstein's rehab — Shortstop David Eckstein, recovering from a strained oblique, played a light game of catch Wednesday, his first baseball activity since attempting to throw Aug. 18 at Wrigley Field. If his left side feels fine today, Eckstein may take some swings.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
