Top News:
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Young, Okajima win Final Vote — Fans select pair to final roster spots on All-Star squads — Chris Young of the Padres and Hideki Okajima of the Red Sox are your selections in the sixth annual Monster All-Star Final Vote, which will be remembered for unique grassroots campaigns …
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:Hideki Okajima Wins AL All-Star Final Vote
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Mets' Maine wins again, Ks 9 Astros — HOUSTON (AP) — The New York Mets needed one inning to purge the memories of their nightmare series in Colorado. — John Maine set a career high with nine strikeouts in 7 2-3 innings and Ramon Castro hit a two-run double filling in for suspended Paul Lo Duca …
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Mets' Gomez out 6-to-8 weeks with hand injury — HOUSTON — The Mets' depleted outfield ranks took another hit Thursday when rookie Carlos Gomez underwent surgery in New York for a broken bone in his left hand. Gomez, who broke the hamate bone on a checked swing in the sixth inning …
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Adding injury to insult — Hall forced out after severely spraining ankle during Brewers' loss — Pittsburgh - Bill Hall didn't realize how high he had jumped. — Trying to rob Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit of a home run in the second inning Thursday afternoon at PNC Park …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Jeremy Anders / MLB.com:
Hall suffers sprained right ankle — Outfielder hurt while attempting to make leaping catch — PITTSBURGH — Brewers center fielder Bill Hall left Thursday's game in the second inning after sustaining a high ankle sprain to his right ankle. X-rays taken were negative for a fracture.
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:Brewers CF Hall out indefinitely
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Johnson back on DL but hopes to return soon — SAN DIEGO Josh Johnson has every expectation of pitching again this season. Based on what the Marlins' medical personnel have told him, he has no reason to think otherwise. — Wednesday, Johnson left his start after five shutout innings …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Clark Spencer / Florida Marlins:
One year later, Marlins pitchers ailing — SAN DIEGO — Though the Marlins aren't sure how long they will be without Josh Johnson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the pitcher was told is a strained right forearm, this much is certain: The season has gone nothing like last year for the team's young rotation.
Michael Phillips / MLB.com:
Bush celebrates birthday at RFK — Day before turning 61, President watches Nats-Cubs game — WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush celebrated his birthday on Thursday at RFK Stadium, but the party was a secret to the 22,594 in attendance. — The President, who turns 61 on Friday …
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David Picker / New York Times:
In Rodriguez's Spot, Matsui Plays Role to Perfection — Hideki Matsui acknowledged afterward that he felt a little uneasy as he came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning yesterday. The score was tied, 5-5, the Yankees having squandered a 5-2 lead. The pitcher on the mound was Pat Neshek …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Matt Smith / MLB.com:
Gaudin, homers lift A's past Mariners — Left-hander allows two runs; Swisher, Crosby hit solo homers — OAKLAND — Chad Gaudin followed what was the best start of his young career with one of the longest. — In his last start, he gave up just one hit over seven shutout innings …
Discussion:
Catfish Stew
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Sports News Canada:
Burnett a $55 M fourth starter? — Sportsnet.ca - Blue Jays' general manager J.P. Ricciardi had harsh words for often-injured starter A.J. Burnett on a Toronto radio station, saying that Burnett may now be considered a third or fourth starter, and if he had to do it all over again …
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Richard / SportsJustice:
Ensberg had his chance. Time to cut the cord. — There are two possible reasons Morgan Ensberg is still with the Astros. Neither is legitimate. It's time to fill that roster spot with someone who might help the Astros win a game. Ensberg has had enough chances.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Palmer lends helping hand to Cabrera … CHICAGO // As he always does, pitching coach Leo Mazzone stood back and to the right as Daniel Cabrera worked through his bullpen session before last night's game. However, Mazzone and Cabrera also had company. — Seeking to get the struggling pitcher …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Watchdog:
Ticked-Off MLB Limits ESPN Presence at All-Star Game — In olden times, l would not have reported this until I had gotten official comments from both sides and fleshed out every last detail. But I have to tell you about this right now, because I know the basics are true …
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Fox Sports:
Stats 101: Detecting a fluke season — Special to FOXSports.com, Updated 1 day ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — In case you haven't noticed, Magglio Ordonez is having a darn nifty season. — At present, the Detroit Tigers' right fielder has a batting line of .369 AVG/.446 OBP/.614 …
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins send Slowey to minors; Cali recalled — NEW YORK - Twins rookie righthander Kevin Slowey was sent back to Class AAA Rochester after Thursday's 7-5 loss and replaced by lefthanded reliever Carmen Cali. — After watching the bullpen log too many innings during the Yankees series …
