Top News:
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 …
Mark Herrmann / Newsday:
It's easy for mates to root for Floyd — It still is early enough for Cliff Floyd. Oh, it's too late for his Achilles to heal, his heart to not feel so heavy, his batting average to get respectable. But it's still early enough for him to do something to salvage his season. — "One thing a day," he said.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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 …
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Building a contender on the cheap like the Marlins will be tough to duplicate — What the Mini Marlins have done this summer has been historical, uplifting, unprecedented and inexplicable. — But will it be trend setting? — Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED ITEMS:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:Rogers commits to bigger Jays payroll
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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:
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:
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:
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:
Dan Wetzel / Yahoo! Sports:
As Howard gives chase, Maris is still the man — If Ryan Howard clubs nine more home runs this season, giving him 62, then the Philadelphia Phillies first baseman should be recognized as the single-season, 162-game home run champion. — It's as simple as that.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
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 …
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 …
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 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.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Arias to sit and learn — Talented shortstop will see plenty of pine behind Young — OAKLAND — Triple-A Oklahoma shortstop Joaquin Arias joined the Rangers on Tuesday and Michael Young was one of the first to greet him with a handshake/embrace. — It was an interesting moment …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers sunk by Mariners after delay — Offense silenced late as Miller takes first Major League loss — DETROIT — The one-hour, 23-minute rain delay on Tuesday night knocked out Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman. The Tigers offense seemingly left the game before the rain arrived.
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 …
