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| Jose Bautista homered twice and drove in four runs as the Pirates defeated Washington 11-4 on Friday night. |
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| Nathan Panther went 2-for-3 with his second home run of the season for Double-A Akron on Friday. |
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| Carlos Gomez left Friday's win over the Tigers in the fifth inning after being hit in the head by a throw from Ivan Rodriguez while stealing second. |
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| Mike Jacobs, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Friday 5/2, 10:41 PM CT |
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| Florida's Mike Jacobs, nursing a sprained middle finger on his right hand, started at first base in Friday's game. The slugger was 0-for-4 on the night with one strikeout. |
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| Erik Bedard, P, Seattle Mariners | Friday 5/2, 10:08 PM CT |
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| Erik Bedard was the victim of poor glove work by his infielders, and in his second start since returning from a hip injury, was outstanding. He allowed four hits in seven innings, none after the second, and struck out six and walked one, retiring his final 14 batters. |
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| Chien-Ming Wang became the American League's first six-game winner, ending the Yankees' three-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
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| Mark Buehrle gave up two unearned runs and allowed only five hits in eight innings of work on Friday night, but still suffered a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays. |
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| Scott Downs, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 5/2, 8:44 PM CT |
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| Scott Downs picked up his second save of the season in Friday's 2-0 win over the White Sox. The Jays right-hander pitched two-thirds of an inning to help Shawn Marcum earn his third victory of the year. |
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| Shaun Marcum struck out nine and lowered his ERA to 2.70 in Friday night's 2-0 win over the White Sox. The Blue Jays right-hander allowed just two hits and walked three in his third win of the year. |
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| Jorge Posada was ordered to not pick up a bat or throw a ball for at least the next two weeks, this according to MLB.com. However, the good news is that Posada will not need surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
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| The Rays manager Joe Maddon made it official today that Jason Hammel is headed to the bullpen to clear a rotation spot for Scott Kazmir, this according to the Tampa Tribune.
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| Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the starting lineup Friday, playing center field and batting leadoff. The Boston and Tampa Bay game is currently in a rain delay. |
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| Paul Konerko (hand) will not be in the starting lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. |
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| According to the Yankees' team website, the Yankees will only need a fifth starter three times in May so the team considered sending right-hander Ian Kennedy to Triple-A to work on his delivery. The 23-year-old allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision on Thursday and is 0-2 with a 8.37 ERA through six games this year.
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| Jose Veras, P, New York Yankees | Friday 5/2, 6:05 PM CT |
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| The Yankees finally filled their open spot on the 25-man roster by recalling right-hander Jose Veras from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Veras takes the roster spot left open by right-hander Phil Hughes, who was placed on the disabled list on Wednesday.
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| Backup catcher Miguel Olivo is filling the Royals designated hitter role on Friday night. Billy Butler is at first base and Ross Gload has the night off. |
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| Gabe Gross, RF, Tampa Bay Rays | Friday 5/2, 5:17 PM CT |
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| Gabe Gross, recently acquired from the Brewers for right-handed pitcher Josh Butler, is starting in center field for the injured B.J. Upton. |
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| Wladimir Balentien is starting in right field for the third straight game as the Mariners invade the Evil Empire for the first game of a three-game set. |
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| Jamie Burke is in the lineup tonight against the Yankees and playing catcher. Usual starter, Kenji Johjima, is struggling at the plate and is on the bench for the second straight night. |
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| Jeff Clement is in the starting lineup for the second straight night. The left-handed hitter has a tough test tonight against Chien-Ming Wang who is in top form. |
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| Shelley Duncan is batting fourth and starting at first base tonight when the Yankees host Seattle and starter Erik Bedard in the first of a three-game set. |
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| The Twins optioned Brian Buscher to Triple-A Rochester Friday. Buscher picked up two hits in eight at-bats in his time with the team. |
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| The Twins activated Adam Everett from the DL Friday. He has been out since a shoulder strain. To make room on the roster, Brian Buscher was sent to Triple-A Rochester. |
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| The Orioles purchased the contract of Lance Cormier from Triple-A Norfolk Friday. He's posted a 0.96 ERA in nine games with Norfolk this season. |
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| The Orioles placed Randor Bierd on the DL Friday with a shoulder impingement. The Rule 5 pick boasts a 2.03 ERA in nine games this year. Lance Cormier had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk to replace him on the roster. |
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| Kurt Birkins will stick around for at least a few more days, though he could be sent down on Sunday when Scott Kazmir is activated, according to the Tampa Tribune. Birkins holds a 1.50 ERA in four games this year. |
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| The Tampa Tribune speculates that Jason Hammel is likely to be demoted to the bullpen when Scott Kazmir returns to the rotation on Sunday. |
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| The Rays recalled Justin Ruggiano from Triple-A Durham Friday. He had three hits in 10 at-bats earlier this year with Tampa. |
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| The Rays placed Gary Glover on the DL Friday with right shoulder tendinitis, according to the Tampa Tribune. Outfielder Justin Ruggiano replaces Glover on the roster. |
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| The White Sox recalled Adam Russell from Triple-A Charlotte Friday to take Alexei Ramirez's spot on the roster. The reliever posted a 3.27 ERA with 11 Ks in 11 innings for Charlotte. |
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| The White Sox have placed Alexei Ramirez on the restricted list while the Cuban defector deals with visa problems. Ramirez is unable to travel with the team north of the border to Toronto. Reliever Adam Russell was recalled to take Ramirez's spot on the roster. |
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| John Lackey, P, Los Angeles Angels | Friday 5/2, 2:05 PM CT |
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| John Lackey is scheduled to make his third rehab start on Sunday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, according to the Orange County Register. His fourth rehab outing will likely come in extended spring training, and if he doesn't have any setbacks he'll return to the Angels rotation around May 14. |
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| Juan Castro, SS, Baltimore Orioles | Friday 5/2, 1:35 PM CT |
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| The Rockies have agreed in principle on a minor-league deal with Juan Castro, Castro's agent told the Denver Post. "We are going to Colorado," agent Oscar Suarez said. Castro, who designated for assignment by the Reds last month, is likely to report to Triple-A Colorado Springs to get some at-bats. |
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| Manager Mike Scioscia has received an encouraging report from athletic trainer Ned Bergert on injured starter Kelvim Escobar. "He feels great -- that's the word I just got from Ned," Scioscia said in the LA Times. "Not that he's throwing his split-fingered fastball and slider at full bore, but he feels much different than he did when he started to throw [in mid-March]." Escobar is in the second week of his throwing program and is tossing from nearly 90 feet. He had been shut down in March after throwing just three times from 45 feet. |
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| How have injuries affected the Yankees in the last couple of weeks? Shelley Duncan was the cleanup hitter on Thursday night. With Alex Rodriguez sidelined for at least two weeks with a Grade 2 strain of his right quadriceps, Duncan assumed duties batting fourth in the Yankees' lineup. |
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| According to the Seattle Times, there was an ice bucket filled with beer in Richie Sexson's locker at Progressive Field after Thursday's game in Cleveland. There was a paper sign attached congratulating him on 300 career home runs. |
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| Jonny Gomes started as the teams' designated hitter on Thursday afternoon in Baltimore, which gave him playing time for the 19th time this season in the Rays' 28th game. |
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| According to the Dallas Morning News, skipper Ron Washington said he wanted veteran Michael Young to receive some rest from the field this year to save his legs, so he put him at designated hitter on Thursday for the second time this season. |
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| Placido Polanco could get a night off tonight when the Tigers travel to Minnesota, according to MLB.com. The second baseman is hitting .407 over the past week. |
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| Manager Terry Francona hopes to have Jacoby Ellsbury available for tonight's game, according to the Boston Herald. Ellsbury hasn't played since Sunday due to a groin injury. |
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| J.D. Drew, RF, Boston Red Sox | Friday 5/2, 10:49 AM CT |
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| Manager Terry Francona is hoping that J.D. Drew will be available to play tonight, according to the Boston Herald. Drew has sat out the last two games with a quad injury. |
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Kansas City Royals | Friday 5/2, 10:43 AM CT |
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| Coco Crisp is doubtful for tonight's game against the Rays due to a sore left knee. "Coco got a little more tender as the night went but he fought his way through it," manager Terry Francona said in the Boston Herald. |
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| David Ortiz is hitting .318 with four homers and 17 RBI over the last two weeks, but his right knee is still giving him problems, according to the Boston Herald. "Sore," Big Papi said when asked how the knee was. "Hopefully it will go away the next couple of days because it's (expletive) sore." When asked if Ortiz will have to continue dealing with the pain, manager Terry Francona responded, "I think he will. I don't think it's realistic that he won't. He had his surgery, he's a big guy. He's not 22 years old. I think that's just the way your life is as you start progressing in your career. Sometimes we may have to give the guy the day off." |
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| Matt Brown, 3B, Los Angeles Angels | Friday 5/2, 9:54 AM CT |
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| The Angels optioned Matt Brown to Triple-A Salt Lake Friday. He had a double in five at-bats. |
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| The Angels recalled Reggie Willits from Triple-A Salt Lake Friday. Willits had a double in his lone at-bat this year with the Halos. He hit .378 in 37 at-bats with Salt Lake. |
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| Joe Dillon, 2B, Oakland Athletics | Friday 5/2, 9:31 AM CT |
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| The Brewers recalled Joe Dillon from Triple-A Nashville Friday. Dillon had two hits in 10 at-bats with the Brewers earlier this year and hit .219 in 32 at-bats with the Sounds. |
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| It appears that Luke Hochevar will remain in the Royals rotation after John Bale returns from the DL. Bale is likely to go to the bullpen. "I think he is ready to stay consistent in the rotation," manager Trey Hillman said in the Kansas City Star of Hochevar. "Given the fact that he's the only sinkerballer in the rotation, that’s kind of nice." |
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| John Bale, P, Kansas City Royals | Friday 5/2, 9:16 AM CT |
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| John Bale is likely to go to the bullpen when he returns from the DL, according to the Kansas City Star. "I like John Bale being on this staff," manager Trey Hillman said. "If it ends up being three lefties and four righties in the bullpen, I think everybody is OK with that." Bale is scheduled to test his fatigued shoulder by throwing a live batting practice before Friday's game, and he'll throw another session before returning. |
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| Yasuhiko Yabuta could lose his spot in the Royals bullpen when John Bale come off the DL, according to the Kansas City Star. The other option is Joel Peralta, but manager Trey Hillman didn't mince words when discussing his preference. "Peralta is better," Hillman said. "He is. I have no reservations in saying that. Right now, he's better in consistency of throwing strikes. And in consistency of fastball command and secondary pitches, he’s better there, too." |
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| Mike Maroth, P, Kansas City Royals | Friday 5/2, 9:05 AM CT |
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| The Royals released Mike Maroth Thursday. Maroth had been at Triple-A Omaha, where he held a 14.09 ERA over 7 2/3 innings. |
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| Juan Castro, SS, Baltimore Orioles | Friday 5/2, 8:56 AM CT |
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| Looking for depth following the injury to Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies have expressed interest in free agent Juan Castro. Castro was designated for assignment by the Reds last month. |
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| It is well known that the Cardinals have made Anthony Reyes available via trade, ESPN's Jayson Stark notes. However, clubs have become frustrated with St. Louis' high asking price, which is reportedly an upper-echelon prospect, plus another piece. "I think the guy is salvageable," said an executive of one interested team. "But that's got to be proven, too. So I think they don't quite understand what they have. We're talking about a guy who is [9-24], with a [5.46] ERA. So the asking price is pretty frigging high." |
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| Dana Eveland felt a little twinge in his left elbow in Wednesday's start. The southpaw said the elbow was tender Thursday, but that he thinks he'll be fine, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. |
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| Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics | Friday 5/2, 8:39 AM CT |
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| Eric Chavez fielded grounders Thursday for the second straight day and felt even better this time than he did after the first workout, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Coming back from a back ailment, Chavez is still a ways away from starting a rehab assignment. |
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| Travis Buck, RF, Oakland Athletics | Friday 5/2, 8:36 AM CT |
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| Travis Buck will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Sacramento and could be there as long as a week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Buck is coming back from shin splints. |
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| Keith Foulke will get two more rehab appearances, Monday and Wednesday, after tonight's appearance for Triple-A Sacramento, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The reliever is coming back from a neck injury. |
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| Nick Adenhart will get at least one more start with the Angels despite his rough debut Thursday, according to the LA Times. "It's not uncommon for a kid in his first start to try to do too much," manager Mike Scioscia said in the LA Times. "He has a great arm, great stuff; we'll see him pitch better. It was one of those nights." |
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| Howie Kendrick had hoped to begin a rehab assignment Thursday night at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, but instead he remained in Anaheim because his hamstring has not healed enough to the point he's ready for game action. "He's trying to get over that last little hump," manager Mike Scioscia said in the LA Times. "Until he does, we don't think it's a good idea for him to go out and play. He'll work out, and we'll see how he feels [today]." |
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| J.J. Putz, P, Seattle Mariners | Friday 5/2, 7:16 AM CT |
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| J.J. Putz, who blew his second save of the season Thursday night, could be used more in non-save situations to try to get back on track, according to the Seattle Times. "I'm really at a loss because I've never had this much trouble throwing strikes with the fastball," Putz said. "Sometimes your splitter or slider is going to be off, but I feel like I've been pretty good with my fastball over the years. Being able to locate that whenever I've wanted to, it's like being able to close your eyes and throw a strike with your fastball. And right now, it's just not there." |
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| Emil Brown, RF, Oakland Athletics | Friday 5/2, 12:36 AM CT |
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| Emil Brown continued his ultra impressive start to the season on Thursday night as he went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and his 26th RBI of the season. |
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| Jack Cust, LF, Oakland Athletics | Friday 5/2, 12:32 AM CT |
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| Jack Cust dropped a fly ball which led to five unearned runs, but he partially made up for that with a perfect night at the plate as he went 4-for-4 with two walks for the A's. |
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| Justin Duchscherer allowed six runs in five innings, but only one run was earned as he picked up his second victory of the season. He allowed two home runs and struck out six while throwing 81 pitches in his first game back off the DL. |
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| Mike Napoli, C, Los Angeles Angels | Friday 5/2, 12:26 AM CT |
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| Mike Napoli had two hits, two runs and two RBI on Thursday night for the Angels. One of the two hits was his seventh home run of the season. |
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| Nick Adenhart had a rough first outing at the big league level as he was tagged for five runs in just two innings of action to pick up his first loss. Adenhart allowed only three hits, but he walked five without recording a strikeout.
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