Top News:
Associated Press:
Angels designate disgruntled DH Hillenbrand for assignment — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shea Hillenbrand wants out and the Los Angeles Angels are granting his wish. — The team told Hillenbrand after Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Kansas City that he will be designated for assignment Friday …
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Hillenbrand could plug hole at first — BALTIMORE - The Yankees are trying to bring Shea to the Bronx. — Shea Hillenbrand could become the next righthanded hitter to play first base for the Yankees. The team is engaged in serious talks to acquire the 31-year-old who is about to be dumped by the Angels …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Gonzalez may now learn first — Utility player may have another position on deck — ST. PETERSBURG — During Tuesday night's postgame talk with the media, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen mentioned his idea to have Andy Gonzalez play first base during this upcoming offseason in winter ball.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox on verge of sweep — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Buehrle's future with the White Sox looks more promising. — Assistant general manager Rick Hahn, the team's chief negotiator, flew Wednesday from Chicago to Florida to negotiate an extension that would keep Buehrle from being traded before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A New Low for Clemens and the Yankees — It feels like falling off a cliff, Joe Torre said Wednesday night after another loss, and the metaphor is appropriate. The Yankees had reached a high point before this trip, but suddenly they are plunging to depths never experienced in Torre's 12 years as manager.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Patrick Brown / MLB.com:
Well-deserved headache — Lopez delivers walk-off double as Seattle sweeps Boston — SEATTLE — Jose Lopez knew his former teammate, Joel Pineiro, was going to throw him fastballs. — That knowledge translated into a sweep — and a headache. — Lopez's double in the 11th inning …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Bats erupt for 22 hits as Smoltz wins ninth — Four days after they feuded, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones returned to the business of leading the Braves to victories — in this case a seriously one-sided win. — Order was restored on several fronts Wednesday night, as Smoltz got …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Glavine's 297th win a rain-shortened one — NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Glavine nearly gave the New York Mets their first no-hitter — with a major explanation attached. — Glavine earned his 297th win, pitching one-hit ball for six innings in a rain-shortened shutout to lead New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Wednesday night.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Falling Rox drop sixth straight — Chicago - What began as a road bump has become an awful road trip. The Rockies dropped their sixth-straight game today, falling 6-4 to the Chicago Cubs at muggy Wrigley Field. — At this point, the Rockies are sitting on the median with hazards flashing.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sosa might be Rangers' only All-Star — egrant@dallasnews.com — DETROIT - Sammy Sosa's remarkable return to baseball could take another dramatic turn this weekend. He could end up as the Rangers' lone representative to the All-Star game, to be played July 10 in San Francisco.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Notes: Purpura ready to make changes — General manager could make changes as team returns home — MILWAUKEE — Manager Phil Garner described his closed-door meeting with general manager Tim Purpura and the coaching staff Wednesday morning a "good, open exchange of ideas."
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jacob Jackson / Hardball Times:
The best unemployed GM in baseball — In his 18-month tenure as Dodgers' GM from February '04 to October '05, Paul DePodesta did all of the following things: — Helped construct a roster that produced the 2004 NL West Divison title, the Dodgers' first playoff berth in eight years.
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Geren gets A's going before win — Cust has career-high five RBIs as Oakland ends skid — CLEVELAND — A day after the players-only meeting that was called for Tuesday was called off and the A's suffered a crushing loss when the Indians scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Capuano throws simulated game — Lefty tosses about 75 pitches prior to Wednesday's contest — MILWAUKEE — Chris Capuano was happy with the results of his simulated game on Wednesday morning, and will be even happier when he rejoins the Brewers' rotation next Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Andrew Bagnato / Associated Press:
Arizona's Webb shuts down Dodgers 2-0 — PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Webb said he needed to "stop the bleeding" after the Arizona Diamondbacks lost back-to-back games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. — And that's what the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner did. — Overcoming uncharacteristic wildness …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
