Top News:
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Bautista isn't worried by slow start — What, me worried? — So says Jose Bautista, the Toronto Blue Jays slugger who has been uncharacteristically off with the bat so far through five games this season. — And when you consider that the Jays will be going up against Jon Lester …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Scott Lewis / Drunk Jays Fans:
Here's One Way to Taunt a Red Sox Fan — The scene: Casey Janssen sits down Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a called third strike for the second out of the ninth inning. One female Blue Jays fan in attendance decides she's had enough of a visiting Red Sox fan, who probably spent most of the evening reminding …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, baseballmusings.com and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Bard gets no help from his BABIP — TORONTO — A good way to evaluate how well a pitcher is throwing is to count how many times the batter swings and misses at his pitches. — It's a simple, raw way of looking at things. Throwing a ball right by a major league hitter means you're doing something right.
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets 3B Wright suffered broken right pinkie — NEW YORK — New York Mets third baseman David Wright suffered a fractured right pinkie sliding back into first base on a pickoff throw on Monday night. — Manager Terry Collins said the Mets likely would delay a disabled list decision until Friday …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and SI Tracking Blog
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Tim Smith / NY Daily News:
The NY Mets just can't catch a break as David Wright's fractured pinkie takes the luster out of the magical start to season — With third baseman sidelined, Jason Bay figures to face more pressure than ever — A dejected David Wright can't bear to watch action on field as he's forced to sit with broken pinkie.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Moores says Padres sale will proceed — SAN DIEGO — San Diego majority owner John Moores said Tuesday that the ownership group is moving ahead with plans to sell the franchise. — The Padres announced that Steve Greenberg of Allen & Company and John Moag of Moag & Company have been retained …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds, Phillips come to terms on six-year deal — Second baseman to get $72.5 million through 2017 season — CINCINNATI — When first baseman Joey Votto was signed by the Reds to a mammoth 10-year, $225 million contract by the Reds, Brandon Phillips was concerned the writing was on the wall to end his tenure in Cincinnati.
Discussion:
Mark My Word
RELATED:
MLB:
Sources: Reds, Phillips agree to six-year deal
Sources: Reds, Phillips agree to six-year deal
Discussion:
Red Reporter, ESPN.com, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds To Extend Brandon Phillips
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Hellickson hit on head by ball, taken to hospital — UPDATE, 12:02: Bullpen coach Stan Boroski said Hellickson had just thrown a pitch, that several Tigers yelled “Heads up,” but as soon as Helickson turned he was hit, on the left side of the head just above the eye, and “went down.”
Discussion:
NESN.com and SI Tracking Blog
Associated Press:
Grilli Gives Up Ethier's Homer in Pirates' Loss — LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates faced four of the NL's elite starting pitchers in their first four games of the season, yet still emerged with a split. — That impressive result didn't feel particularly comforting to the Pirates …
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Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Torre: Kemp ‘probably the best player’ in MLB
Torre: Kemp ‘probably the best player’ in MLB
Discussion:
Associated Press and HardballTalk
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Terry Francona wants no part of Fenway's celebration — Don't look for former manager Terry Francona at Fenway Park when the Red Sox celebrate the 100th anniversary of their beloved ballpark a week from Friday against the Yankees. Francona is still smarting from the way things ended between himself …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Red Sox Monster, Baseball Nation and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Associated Press:
Duffy Leads Royals Past Athletics 3-0 — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Danny Duffy pitched six sharp innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland Athletics 3-0 in a rain-shortened game on Tuesday night. — Mike Moustakas hit an RBI double in the fourth and Mitch Maier added a solo homer …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Royals Review
Josh Leventhal / Baseball America:
Wilmington Group Hopes To Move Ballpark Plan Forward — The Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball announced this morning that they have a plan in place to privately finance and build a new ballpark in Wilmington, N.C., that would become home to a Carolina League franchise, though the plan would still require public money.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Yankees Beat Orioles 5-4 in 12 Innings — BALTIMORE (AP) — Raul Ibanez doubled in the tiebreaking run in the 12th inning, and the New York Yankees overcame a three-run deficit and a wild performance by starter Freddy Garcia in a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Pinstripe Alley and MiamiHerald.com
Associated Press:
Seattle's Beavan Loses 1-0 in Hometown Ballpark — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Blake Beavan felt the butterflies building all day. This was no ordinary game for the Seattle Mariners pitcher. — Beavan pitched into the seventh inning in his first start at his hometown ballpark …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, Lookout Landing and Associated Press
Rick Telander / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie Guillen made complimentary remarks about Fidel Castro in 2008 — Obviously, baseball lifer Ozzie Guillen was given a mouth so he could put his foot into it. — If he doesn't have a forum to watch him do his acrobatic and outrageous comment stuff, it's like a tree falling in a forest.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fish Tank blog
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