Top News:
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Jeff Francis accepts minor-league assignment for Rockies, heads to Colorado Springs — Jeff Francis pitches in spring training a few years back. He accepted a minor-league assignment to remain with the Rockies organization. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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Associated Press:
Jordan Zimmermann, Adam LaRoche spoil Roy Oswalt's return — WASHINGTON — Jordan Zimmermann pitched eight innings to win his 10th game, Adam LaRoche had three hits including a two-run triple and the Nationals spoiled Roy Oswalt's return to the majors with a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Purple Row, CBSSports.com and ESPN
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Jeff Francis leaves Colorado Rockies to make room for Roy Oswalt
Jeff Francis leaves Colorado Rockies to make room for Roy Oswalt
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Purple Row and MLB Rumors
Canadian Press:
Longoria homers twice, Moore ends skid, Rays beat Yankees — NEW YORK — Evan Longoria homered twice and drove in three runs, Matt Moore ended a personal three-game skid and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 8-3 Thursday night. — Yunel Escobar also homered as Tampa Bay sent …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays win first of season at Fenway
Rays win first of season at Fenway
Discussion:
USA Today and HardballTalk
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Final Score: Mets 4 Braves 3 — The Least You Should Know: — David Wright his two solo home runs, Andrew Brown hit another, and Josh Satin had a pinch-hit RBI double, as the Mets completed taking three of five games from the Braves to win their first series in Atlanta since 2011.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez's recent progress is said by people around the Yankees to have been dramatic, with one person calling it “fantastic” and another even speculating A-Rod could possibly begin to play rehab games just after the All-Star break.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, HardballTalk, SI Wire and Pinstriped Bible
Associated Press:
Ian Kinsler helps Rangers repel A's, close AL West gap — ARLINGTON, Texas — When the ball caromed away from Texas Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry, he quickly recovered to get it and throw to shortstop Elvis Andrus. The game was over after a perfect relay to the plate.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and ESPN
Metsblog:
Jon Niese leaves game with ‘left shoulder discomfort’ — Jon Niese left Thursday night's game in the fourth inning with what the team described as discomfort in his left shoulder. — 10:40 pm: Terry Collins told reporters after the game that Niese will go for an MRI in New York on Friday.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Master Tesfatsion / MLB.com:
Soria begins rehab assignment in Double-A — ARLINGTON — Joakim Soria will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Thursday. Soria is scheduled to pitch an inning in the first of multiple appearances with the team. — Soria threw two live batting-practice sessions during …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
MLB.com:
Benoit Leyland's first option in closer situation — DETROIT — Before Jose Valverde rejoined the Tigers at the end of April, manager Jim Leyland had a bullpen by committee, but had Joaquin Benoit as his preferred option. — “On a lot of the days, if it's doable, I think [Joaquin] …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Living Up to Expectations — Oswaldo Arcia homered for the Twins this afternoon, scoring the first run of the game in the second inning as the White Sox trail 3-1 in the fourth. The 22-year-old rookie is off to a nice start, with 33 hits, fifteen of them going for extra bases.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Chris Abshire / MLB.com:
Crowe to disabled list after collision with wall — HOUSTON — The Astros placed right-fielder Trevor Crowe on the 15-day disabled list after he sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder during the sixth inning of Thursday's 7-4 win over the Brewers. — Crowe smashed the shoulder …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Mets manager Terry Collins, now armed with pitchers Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, should stay with Mets — Harvey and Wheeler on Tuesday provided a reminder that talent has been the issue, and if that is finally going to change now, Collins surely deserves the chance to make something of it.
Discussion:
Metsblog
Lester Munson / ESPN:
San Jose suit appears to be strong — Major League Baseball should be taking the city's antitrust lawsuit very seriously — San Jose's lawsuit against Major League Baseball could easily become commissioner Bud Selig's worst nightmare. — Unless the Lords of Baseball voluntarily pave …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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