Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
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.”
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
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 …
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:Prior to Ortiz Press Conference, MLBPA Releases Statement Regarding 2003 Drug Test
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Ortiz says he never used steroids, but acknowledged he was 'careless …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Rick Brown / Des Moines Register:
Iowa Cubs' Jason Dubois exits on a winning note — Jason Dubois has played 280 games in an Iowa Cubs uniform, many of them at Principal Park. — Dubois was at the park again Friday, but in street clothes, as the Cubs beat Reno 4-2 before a crowd of 12,772 that was the 12th-largest in franchise history.
Susan Slusser / SFGate:
Springer claimed by Tampa Bay — I just got off the phone with reliever Russ Springer, who is at the airport heading for Seattle because he has been claimed on waivers by the Rays. — Assistant GM David Forst said it's a straight waiver claim. — “We felt like it was a good opportunity …
Danny Wild / MLB.com:
Sanchez untouchable in third rehab start — Pitches 6 2/3 hitless innings in Florida State League — Anibal Sanchez, recovering from a sprained shoulder, threw 6 2/3 hitless innings in his third rehab start Friday as the Jupiter Hammerheads blanked the Palm Beach Cardinals, 3-0, at Roger Dean Stadium.
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox DFA John Smoltz — The Red Sox designated John Smoltz for assignment, according to DJ Bean of WEEI.com. Smoltz, 42, struggled in eight starts for the Red Sox. He only walked nine, but eight of the 59 hits he allowed were homers. His ERA ballooned to 8.32 after allowing eight earned runs at Yankee Stadium last night.
RELATED:
