Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Enjoy it for what it's worth — Another strange night in the ``let's-take-a-year-off-from-the- playoffs" Red Sox season. Good news all around at Fenway. Almost perfect, in fact. — The first great development came when David Ortiz returned to the lineup for the first time since Aug. 27.
RELATED ITEMS:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Papelbon has fatigued shoulder — After rest, closer will begin strengthening program — BOSTON — The worst fears of the Red Sox and their passionate fans were put to rest on Tuesday night, when it was announced that there is nothing structurally wrong with the prized right shoulder of star rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Future's Cliff hanger — Floyd: Achilles just won't heal — Cliff Floyd would have been out of the Mets' lineup for the second consecutive game last night had heavy rains not made their scheduled game a doubleheader against the Braves today. — Floyd, who was activated last week …
RELATED ITEMS:
Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Milledge is hopeful he finally lasts — Outfielder gets third chance in big leagues to live up to potential — Lastings Milledge is about to have his third chance to make a first impression. — That's not literally true, of course, but the high-potential, high-maintenance outfielder …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Maris clan: Howard would be worthy of record — When Ryan Howard's picture flashed across the television screen, Randy Maris turned to his younger brother Rich with a puzzled look. — "Who's he?" Randy asked. — Rich had a quick answer: He might be the guy who breaks their father's home run record.
RELATED ITEMS:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
A's claim Williams; no call-up angers Pie — One of the major miscalculations the Cubs made last winter was depending on Jerome Williams to make the rotation. — After a poor start in April and an inconsistent four months at Triple-A Iowa, the Williams saga ended Tuesday when Oakland claimed him on waivers.
RELATED ITEMS:
Joe Roderick / Contra Costa Times:
Former Giant Williams claimed off waiver wire — A's notebook — OAKLAND — There's still a month left in the season, but the A's are already looking ahead to next year. By claiming ex-Giants pitcher Jerome Williams on waivers from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the team has some reinforcements entering spring training.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates leap past Cubs, 6-5, to escape last place — Bay homers twice, Torres slams door in ninth — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — CHICAGO — No, there was no champagne uncorked when the Pirates edged Chicago, 6-5, last night at Wrigley Field.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
RELATED ITEMS:
David Boyce / Kansas City Star:
Teahen out to have surgery — Third baseman is done for year because of torn labrum in shoulder. German, Keppinger to take his spot. — Before Mark Teahen took the field Tuesday night, he knew it was going to be his last game of the season. — Teahen will undergo season-ending surgery Friday …
RELATED ITEMS:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Moehler will start for Nolasco again — MIAMI GARDENS — Pitcher Brian Moehler's season is coming full circle. — The veteran right-hander will make his second straight start Saturday in place of rookie right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who is recovering from soreness behind his right knee.
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED ITEMS:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
O'Connor Gets the Start Over Traber — This much we know: Left-hander Mike O'Connor was recalled from Class AAA New Orleans yesterday by the Washington Nationals, and he will start today's homestand-ending game against the St. Louis Cardinals. — That's the simple part of the equation.
RELATED ITEMS:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
No Setbacks for Rivera; No Concerns for Torre — When the subject is Mariano Rivera, Yankees Manager Joe Torre puts his faith in the results of last Thursday's magnetic resonance imaging exam. Since that test showed no structural damage to Rivera's elbow — only a mild muscle strain — Torre said he was not worried.
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
USA Today:
Top minor leaguers for each MLB team — AMERICAN LEAGUE — Baltimore: RHP Brandon Erbe: Erbe's win-loss record (5-9) didn't get much help from a weak low-A Delmarva team, but the rest of the 18-year-old's performance was impressive, including 133 strikeouts in 114 2/3 innings.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals group visits Bush — WASHINGTON — On the same day that he gave a major speech regarding the nation's war on terror, President George W. Bush hosted a contingent of Cardinals in the Oval Office on Tuesday morning. — Bush, former general partner of the Texas Rangers and a close friend …
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Baker receives major promotion — Outfielder enjoyed big year for Sky Sox — San Diego - If Jeff Baker can excel at multitasking, he might have a spot on the Rockies' 25-man roster next season. — Baker, right-handed pitchers Denny Bautista and Ubaldo Jimenez, left-handers Mike Venafro …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards Notebook: Albert's homers are clutch — More Albert — Locked in a race for MVP with the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols finds himself at a disadvantage in home runs and RBIs. However, he has no competition in what his home runs have meant.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
