Top News:
ESPN:
Selig, Reinsdorf talk to Harrelson about rant … Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf talked to television announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson in the wake of his on-air outburst against umpire Mark Wegner. — “I talked to Bud Selig yesterday …
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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Players, umpires need replay now more than ever — Russell Martin cinched the funniest line of the 2012 Major League Baseball season Wednesday night when he strutted around the New York Yankees clubhouse and yelled the inimitable phrase: “Laz Diaz is a [expletive]. Write it hard.”
Discussion:
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Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees catcher Russell Martin blasts umpire Laz Diaz
Yankees catcher Russell Martin blasts umpire Laz Diaz
Discussion:
Deadspin, HardballTalk, NESN.com, Baseball Nation, WasWatching.com and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Brewers Beat Dodgers 6-2 to Complete 4-Game Sweep — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Gomez each hit a two-run homer, Zack Greinke pitched effectively for six innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Thursday night to complete a four-game sweep.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Associated Press, ESPN and MLB
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Fox Sports:
Stakes even higher for trades this year — The Brewers were more than willing to trade two top prospects for left-hander CC Sabathia in July 2008, and not simply because they were getting one of the best pitchers in the game. — No, the Brewers also knew that they could possibly replace the youngsters …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
CarGo sets Rox mark with four straight homers — DENVER — Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez swatted a three-run homer off the Astros' Bud Norris in his first at-bat Thursday night at Coors Field to set a Rockies record by going deep in his fourth straight at-bat.
Discussion:
Purple Row and baseballmusings.com
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Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies' Cuddyer moves into cleanup spot, replacing Tulowitzki — Michael Cuddyer, who blasted his second grand slam of the season Wednesday night, is taking over as the Rockies' cleanup hitter as Troy Tulowitzki heads to the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Fickle winds blow hard for Chicago baseball teams
Fickle winds blow hard for Chicago baseball teams
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Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Edgar Mercedes, Trainer Of Yoenis Cespedes, Arrested In Dominican Republic — Edgar Mercedes, the powerful Dominican trainer who represented Yoenis Cespedes and has been a part of some of baseball's most expensive international amateur signings, was arrested yesterday in the Dominican Republic …
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians could have Roberto Hernandez back by All-Star break — CLEVELAND, Ohio — A lobbyist working on behalf of Roberto Hernandez, the Indians pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, said he could be back in the United States by the All-Star break.
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Carlos Beltran makes first return to Citi Field — The hotly anticipated return of Carlos Beltran to Citi Field could fizzle Friday night if the Cardinals rightfielder isn't over the right knee pain that kept him out of the lineup Wednesday. — Beltran, who spent 6 1/2 seasons with the Mets …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Feldman, Lowe to hit trade market for pitching-rich Rangers, who seek righty bat — With Roy Oswalt now in the fold and hard-throwing prospect Tanner Scheppers pitching well at Triple-A Round Rock, the Rangers are expected to make right-handed pitchers Scott Feldman and Mark Lowe available …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants don't have to look far to find Draft talent — Picking 20th, club has many options located near Bay Area — SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants might be able to drive down the Peninsula or across the Bay Bridge to grab their next premier prospect or two. — The plethora of talented …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Swag party: Baseball's rise in on-field antics annoy some — Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson had the swagger, the strut and all of the gaudy statistics to back up his act. — Yet he watches baseball games today at the age of 66 and bemoans how the velvet ropes of flamboyance are being trampled by almost anyone wearing a uniform.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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:
MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
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Alex Angert / MLB.com:
Dodgers lose Kemp for at least four weeks — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring on Thursday and team trainer Sue Falsone determined he'd need at least four weeks to recover. — Kemp injured his leg scoring …
Discussion:
ESPN and MLB Daily Dish
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Steve Dilbeck / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers hold their breath: Matt Kemp re-injures hamstring in loss
Dodgers hold their breath: Matt Kemp re-injures hamstring in loss
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, True Blue LA, Yahoo! Sports, Getting Blanked and baseballmusings.com
