Top News:
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Morse closing in on return to Mariners lineup — SEATTLE — Michael Morse was scheduled to play nine innings in right field for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday night in his fourth rehab game, and a decision could come soon on when he'll rejoin the Mariners, according to interim manager Robby Thompson.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Canadian Press:
Iwakuma earns 10th win, Mariners top Twins — SEATTLE — Hisashi Iwakuma allowed four hits in six shutout innings, and the Seattle Mariners scored six runs in the second en route to an 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. — Iwakuma (10-4), who won his third straight decision, struck out nine and walked one.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Twinkie Town
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Soriano back in pinstripes after trade with Cubs — The New York Yankees, desperately trying to stay in the playoff race, completed a trade Friday morning for Chicago Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano that's expected to be approved by Major League Baseball. — The Yankees, according …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give emotional goodbye to veteran Soriano — Clubhouse leader bids farewell to teammates, mentees before leaving for New York — PHOENIX — Alfonso Soriano has been criticized for his huge contract, for his misplays in the outfield and for striking out with runners on, but on Thursday …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Mets Add International Slot Value From Angels — The Mets have added to their international bonus pool by acquiring an international slot value from the Angels in exchange for outfielder Julio Concepcion and righthander Andres Perez. — The Mets will receive the Angels' No. 2 slot value …
Discussion:
Metsblog, MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Outfield is the main focus, but Rangers mull Michael Young return — Seen as the most likely Phillies player dealt, Michael Young is a Texas clubhouse favorite (USATSI) — The Rangers are focused on outfielders at the moment, but they've talked at least internally about the possibility …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, SI Wire and The Good Phight
MLB.com:
Phillies place Brown on seven-day concussion DL — ST. LOUIS — Domonic Brown sounded pretty optimistic he would be back in the Phillies' lineup Friday in Detroit. — But he will not be back until next Wednesday at the earliest. — The Phillies placed Brown on the seven …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
George Brett resigns as Royals' hitting coach — Hall of Fame icon George Brett promised the Royals on May 30 that he'd commit for one month as their interim hitting coach. On Thursday, after eight weeks in the role, he stepped away from that duty. — “I just felt it was time for me to move on …
Discussion:
SI Wire, CBSSports.com and Royals Review
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NY Daily News:
Mets playing better than Yankees right now - and without the drama — The Mets are just the Mets. They aren't very good and won't be very good in the near future, but they aren't performing terribly at the moment. Their biggest stars, David Wright and Matt Harvey, actually make it onto the field.
Associated Press:
Angels Offense Awakens in 8-3 Win Over A's — OAKLAND, Calif. — Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo each drove in two runs to power the Los Angeles Angels past the Oakland Athletics 8-3 on Thursday night. — C.J. Wilson (11-6) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Danny Knobler / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Ex-Giants closer Brian Wilson ‘looks good’ in Thursday audition — With the bullpen trade market more crowded with buyers than sellers, one-time Giants closer Brian Wilson drew quite a crowd when he threw for scouts on Thursday in Los Angeles. — Wilson hasn't pitched in a game in more than 15 months …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Over the Monster and whygavs.com
T.J. Quinn / ESPN:
Biogenesis Whistle-Blower Speaks Out — The man who turned the Biogenesis clinic from a quiet investigation in Miami into a national scandal says there are at least a dozen more athletes whose names haven't been exposed and that they come from across the sports world.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and SI Wire
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Designate Ted Lilly For Assignment — The Dodgers have designated veteran left-hander Ted Lilly for assignment to clear a roster spot for utility player Elian Herrera, the team announced on Twitter. Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles adds (via Twitter) that the move comes as a result …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and True Blue LA
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves will consider trade options after Hudson injury — NEW YORK - The loss of veteran Tim Hudson to a season-ending ankle injury Wednesday opened a gaping hole in the Braves' starting rotation, and they'll consider all options to fill it, both in-house and a limited trade market.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Rumors
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