Top News:
David Lefort / Boston Globe:
Ortiz: I never used steroids — At a news conference at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, David Ortiz stated definitively that he never used steroids or bought them, but acknowledged that he was “careless” when he was “buying supplements and vitamins over the counter.”
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MLB:
David Ortiz of Boston Red Sox apologizes, says he never used or bought steroids … NEW YORK — David Ortiz, less than four hours before the Red Sox were to play in the third game of a four-game series against the Yankees, apologized for being “a distraction” after he was reported …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, SPORTSbyBROOKS, Circling The Bases, Boston Globe, NESN.com and Yahoo! Sports
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
MLBPA statement on Ortiz — Michael Weiner, the incoming head of the MLB Players Association, released a long statement a few minutes ago that, one assumes, will be a preview of today's press conference with David Ortiz (12:30 p.m.). The tack he's taking absolves Ortiz and accuses the New York Times of acting foul.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Ortiz says he never used steroids, but acknowledged he was ‘careless’ with supplements — NEW YORK — At a news conference at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, David Ortiz stated definitively that he never used steroids or bought them, but acknowledged that he was “careless” when he was …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
MLBPA issues an excuse for Ortiz — Wondering what excuse the MLBPA is going to issue today on David Ortiz's behalf? Here is their press release: … One problem with this: Alex Rodriguez was on that list, too, and readily admitted he did PEDs. Manny Ramirez, based on his most recent positive test …
Jim Peltz / Los Angeles Times:
Erick Aybar's home run propels Angels to win — Jered Weaver pitches another strong game, earning his fifth consecutive victory. — Erick Aybar's tie-breaking home run and another sparkling performance by starting pitcher Jered Weaver lifted the Angels past the Texas Rangers, 3-2, on Saturday.
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ESPN.com:
Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton acknowledges lapse in sobriety, photographs — Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton acknowledged a January bar incident Saturday in which he became drunk and was photographed with several women, not including his wife, in lurid poses in Tempe, Ariz. — Hamilton
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Francoeur can no longer bear beard — SAN DIEGO - Jeff Francoeur is a realist. He's also clean-shaven again. — Several Mets players recently had resolved not to shave until the team reached .500, but Francoeur has decided to abandon the bonding exercise and go back to using a razor.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, New York Mets Fan Blog, Mets Today, Subway Squawkers and Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
AMAZIN'S REVIEWING MED STAFF — SAN DIEGO — It's no surprise that the torrent of — injuries this season have prompted the Mets to conduct a top-to-bottom review of their medical procedures. — The results of that review aren't in yet, though it's believed that trainer Ray Ramirez …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Coming out on the short end of a long night — NEW YORK - On and on they played. Deep into the night. Into Saturday morning. No one could score. — Zero-zero. Twin bagels. Double doughnuts. — Eleven, 12, 13 innings. The Red Sox and Yankees were still scoreless when the game crossed …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Pushed to the limit — Rodriguez homer in 15th sinks Sox
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Dallas Morning News:
Padilla gone, and Texas Rangers won't miss him — Cutting Vicente Padilla loose at last was one of Jon Daniels' options, I suppose. — Frankly, if the Rangers had really wanted to punish Padilla for throwing at hitters and endangering his own, it'd have been more fun if Ron Washington …
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David Ely / MLB.com:
Shoulder sends Schmidt back to DL — Torre sees veteran potentially contributing in September — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers announced Friday that right-hander Jason Schmidt was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder issue. — Schmidt had started four games for the Dodgers …
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Chicago Tribune:
Chicago White Sox reportedly have interest in Alex Rios — But Toronto Blue Jays outfielder has big, long-term contract — The White Sox were willing to take on the remaining $56 million on Jake Peavy's contract he signed with the Padres, and a report Friday night suggests they might …
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George A. King III / New York Post:
A.J., MELKY RIDE LATEST WAIVE OF PAPERWORK — Robinson Cano, Brian Bruney, David Robertson and Mark Melancon cleared waivers yesterday when the Yankees put another batch of players on trade waivers. — Included in yesterday's group was last night's starter A.J. Burnett, Melky Cabrera …
Susan Slusser / SFGate:
Springer claimed by Tampa Bay - updated — **UPDATED**As you might have seen, Aaron Cunningham is en route and Dallas Braden is now on the DL, but he's hopeful he can start as soon as he come off the DL. — There's a chance that Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez will swap starts …
