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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 109: Red Sox at Yankees — YANKEES (66-42) — Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.89). — RED SOX (62-45) — Ellsbury CF — Pedroia 2B — Martinez 1B — Youkilis 3B — Ortiz DH — Drew RF — Varitek C — Reddick LF — Green SS — Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett (13-4, 3.27).
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Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Tazawa replaces Smoltz; Woodward claimed on waivers — NEW YORK — Junichi Tazawa, the promising righthanded pitcher signed out of Japan's Industrial League in the offseason, was added to the Red Sox' roster tonight, replacing the ineffective John Smoltz, who was designated for assignment.
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Smoltz designated for assignment — After eight starts and few glimpses of the repertoire that made him one of the dominant pitchers of his generation, John Smoltz's Red Sox career has come to a crossroads, and possibly an end. — The Red Sox have designated the 42-year-old righthander …
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
SMOLTZ DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT — NEW YORK — The Red Sox have designated John Smoltz for assignment. Smoltz was 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Sox after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract. The Sox now have 10 days during which to either trade the right-hander or put him on release waivers.
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Twins Acquire Carl Pavano — The Twins deepened their rotation today, acquiring Carl Pavano from the Indians for a player to be named later, according to a team press release. Pavano, 33, has allowed 150 hits in 125.2 innings, posting a respectable 88K/23BB ratio.
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Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Twins add Pavano from Cleveland — Minnesota acquires veteran right-hander for stretch run — The Twins acquired veteran right-hander Carl Pavano on Friday from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named later. — Pavano, 33, in the midst of a somewhat revitalizing season following …
Carl Pavano / Associated Press:
Minnesota Twins get Carl Pavano from Cleveland Indians, demote R.A. Dickey — MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-hander Carl Pavano from the Cleveland Indians in an attempt to shore up their rotation. — Pavano — The deal was announced Friday.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Jays face choices on Rios — A waiver claim has been placed on Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios, according to MLB sources. — At a time when most teams have very little financial flexibility, it could be within the realm of possibility that the Blue Jays will consider a trade of Rios …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Alex Rios Claimed On Waivers, Trade Next? — 7:58pm: John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that “someone high in the front office” confirms that the Reds did not claim Rios. — 6:16pm: Henry Schulman of The SF Chronicle says that vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
A's release struggling Jason Giambi; former MVP was hitting .193 in 2nd stint with Oakland — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jason Giambi's second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn't pan out as either side had hoped. — On Friday, they parted ways — most certainly for good this time.
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The Sporting Green / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giambi released — Jason Giambi has been released by the A's, ending his failed return to the team with which he started out a star-crossed career. Here is the team's press release: — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics have released Jason Giambi, the five-time American League …
Rustin Dodd / MLB.com:
For Bannister, the secret is in the numbers — Right-hander finds success with Pitch f/x, sabermetrics — KANSAS CITY — Brian Bannister reaches into his locker and pulls out a baseball. — This is complicated stuff he's talking about, and he needs a prop.
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Bucs Land Cain For $1.125 Million — Though the Pirates went conservative by taking Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez with the No. 4 overall pick, they vowed to be aggressive in later rounds. After taking a baby step by signing seventh-rounder Trent Stevenson for $350,000 two weeks ago …
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Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Angels' offense hitting a high note — AL West leaders, usually rich in pitching, currently top the majors in runs scored — There is a general concern among major league managers that their teams aren't always ready to play in the days, even weeks, that follow the All-Star break.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets willing to waive bye to Billy? — SAN DIEGO - Billy Wagner could be on a contender in September. — As the former closer nears a return to the majors following Tommy John elbow surgery, a Mets insider suggested the organization would be open to dealing Wagner by the Aug. 31 postseason-roster deadline …
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