Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Fickle winds blow hard for Chicago baseball teams — The Chicago White Sox debated long this offseason and ultimately decided they didn't want to become the Chicago Cubs. — The Chicago Cubs, after hiring Theo Epstein as president in October, determined they no longer wanted to be the Chicago White Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Baseball Nation, Getting Blanked, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
RELATED:
ESPN:
Epstein: Cubs not considering trade of Castro — CHICAGO — Despite a published report Thursday that might have suggested otherwise, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said star shortstop Starlin Castro isn't expected to be going anywhere in the near future.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Chris Fedor / Sports Radio Interviews:
Hawk Harrelson Turns to Advil After a Unloading On Umpire Mark Wegner Last Night — It has been a pretty rough week for Major League Baseball umpires. It started on Monday when Jim Leyland went on a post-game rant demanding accountability for umpiring mistakes and then last night …
Discussion:
South Side Sox, HardballTalk, Deadspin and Business Insider
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers place Kemp on 15-day DL — Castellanos promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers called up infielder/outfielder Alex Castellanos from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday to replace outfielder Matt Kemp, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Steve Dilbeck / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers hold their breath: Matt Kemp re-injures hamstring in loss — All-Star center fielder strains the hamstring scoring in the first inning of a 6-3 loss to the Brewers, who hand L.A. its first three-game losing streak of the season. — Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp rounds third base …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, True Blue LA, Getting Blanked, baseballmusings.com and Los Angeles Times
Associated Press:
Clemens trial: Ex-manager said Clemens got better as he aged by getting smarter — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens lost something off his fastball in his 40s but still succeeded by pitching smarter, his former manager testified today. — “He continued to have great success, but for different reasons …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
MLB:
McNamee's wife wants clarification — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens' defense says it will call McNamee's estranged wife, Eileen, to testify, but her lawyer said Thursday that he wanted to make sure that her previously granted immunity remains intact. — That's because McNamee, during his testimony …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees catcher Russell Martin blasts umpire Laz Diaz — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yankees catcher Russell Martin lashed out at home plate umpire Laz Diaz after last night's 6-5 victory over the Angels. After the two argued over balls and strikes, Martin said the umpire refused to let him throw …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com, WasWatching.com, Deadspin, Baseball Nation and River Avenue Blues
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Mock Draft: Projecting the whole first round — Appel remains top choice for Astros over prep outfielder Buxton — It's time for the whole enchilada, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole ball of wax, the whole ... you get the point. — The First-Year Player Draft begins Monday night …
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com and River Avenue Blues
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's send right-hander Ross to Triple-A — MINNEAPOLIS — A's righty Tyson Ross was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. — No corresponding move was made at the time of his demotion, but it's likely outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will take Ross' roster spot when activated from the disabled list Friday in Kansas City.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Athletics Nation
MLB.com:
Simmons replaces Pastornicky at shortstop — ATLANTA — Andrelton Simmons has passed all of the necessary tests at the Minor League level and will now begin what the Braves hope is a long reign as their starting shortstop. — After Wednesday night's 10-7 win over the Cardinals …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Peter Schmuck / Boston Herald:
Signs of trouble keep piling up for Orioles — If you're one of the Orioles skeptics who has been sitting at home the past two months waiting for the wheels to come off this suddenly competitive team, it looks like it might be time to shake your head condescendingly at all the cockeyed fans …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
