| Billy Butler, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 9/4, 11:43 PM CT |
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| Billy Butler had two hits on Thursday night which led to two runs scored and an RBI for the Royals first baseman on this night. |
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| Jose Guillen, RF, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 9/4, 11:41 PM CT |
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| Jose Guillen had two hits which led to three RBI leaving him with 84 runs batted in for the year. |
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| Dan Meyer, P, Florida Marlins | Thursday 9/4, 11:37 PM CT |
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| Dan Meyer had a rough outing on Thursday night as he was pounded for eight runs, seven earned, in the Athletics 9-6 loss to the Royals. Meyer allowed nine hits and two walks while recording just 10 outs. |
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| Kyle Davies, P, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 9/4, 11:31 PM CT |
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| Kyle Davies permitted the Athletics just a single run in his five innings of work despite needed 101 pitches on the night. |
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| Rajai Davis, CF, Oakland Athletics | Thursday 9/4, 11:26 PM CT |
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| Rajai Davis had a hit, scored two runs, and stole a base on Thursday night from the leadoff spot for the Athletics. |
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| Ryan Sweeney, CF, Oakland Athletics | Thursday 9/4, 11:20 PM CT |
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| Ryan Sweeney had three hits and three RBI for the Athletics on Thursday night as he also scored two runs. |
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| Jeff Suppan, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 9/4, 10:37 PM CT |
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| Jeff Suppan lasted 5.1 innings on Thursday and the results were predictably average as he allowed five runs, four earned, in his eighth loss of the year. |
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| Shawn Estes, P, San Diego Padres | Thursday 9/4, 10:33 PM CT |
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| In his first start since late May, Shawn Estes was spectacular in holding the Brewers to one run over six innings in his second victory of the year. |
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| Jason Kendall had a hit and stole a bag for the Brewers on Thursday night. |
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| J.J. Hardy, SS, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 9/4, 10:28 PM CT |
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| Every one of the Brewers nine starters had a single hit on Thuursday, and J.J. Hardy was the only one to take a ball over the fence, his 22nd blast of the year. |
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| Nick Hundley went 2-for-4 with two RBI on Thursday night in the Padres 5-2 victory over the Brewers. |
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| Will Venable, continuing to start in place of the injured Jody Gerut, hit his first career home run on Thursday night as he went 2-for-4 to give him four hits in his first 11 AB (.348). |
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| Willy Aybar, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 9/4, 10:04 PM CT |
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| On the day that it was announced that Evan Longoria's comeback had slowed a bit, Willy Aybar had two hits, including his ninth home run, and three RBI for the Rays. |
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| Alex Rodriguez continued his recent tear at the plate by hitting his 32nd home run and on the bases he stole his 17th base in the Yankees 7-5 loss to the Rays. |
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| Dioner Navarro had four hits on Thursday night to boost his average to .297 for the Rays. |
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| Dan Wheeler picked up just a single out, but the effort games him his 11th save of the season. |
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| Darrell Rasner was bombed on Thursday night as he lasted just 1.2 innings permitting six hits, two walks and five runs. |
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| Scott Kazmir improved to 11-6 by defeating the Yankees on Thursday night with six shutout innings in which he allowed but a single hit. |
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| Nick Punto, SS, Minnesota Twins | Thursday 9/4, 9:44 PM CT |
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| Nick Punto went 1-for-3 on Thursday night to boost his average to .288 for the Twins. |
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| Alexi Casilla went 0-for-4 on Thursday night to drop his average to .290 for the Twins. |
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| Vernon Wells had another two hits on Thursday night including his 16th home run of the year for the Jays. |
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| Kevin Slowey only allowed three runs on Thursday night to the Jays, but he lost the effort thanks to a shutout by the Jays Jesse Litsch. On the evening Slowey 10 hits, but didn't walk a batter over 5.2 innings. |
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| Travis Snider hit his first career home run on Thursday night as he had three hits, two runs and two RBI for the Jays. |
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| Jesse Litsch hurled his best game of the season on Thursday night against the Twins as he threw a 4-hit, complete game shutout for his 10th win of the year. |
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| Cristian Guzman lost an 8-game hitting streak that produced 21 hits by going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a caught stealing on Thursday night. |
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| Kelly Johnson had two hits in four at bats on Thursday out of the second hole in the order for the Braves. |
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| Mike Gonzalez picked up his ninth save on Thursday night with a one inning, three strikeout performance against the Nationals. This was his 39th straight save conversion, the longest current streak in the majors. |
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| Shairon Martis lost his first major league appearance though he allowed just two runs over five innings against the Braves. |
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| James Parr, P, Atlanta Braves | Thursday 9/4, 8:59 PM CT |
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| James Parr, in his major league debut, hurled six scoreless innings to defeat the Nationals on Thursday night in the Braves 2-0 victory. |
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| Manny Parra, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 9/4, 8:52 PM CT |
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| Manny Parra has already thrown 153.2 innings this season, and though that is already more than the 133 he threw last year, the team currently has no plans to set an innings pitched limit for him, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. |
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| Justin Duchscherer's injured hip flared up on him yet again on Thursday, and as a result he has been scratched from his next potential start on Saturday, according to MLB.com. |
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| Ronnie Belliard left the Nationals game in the seventh inning on Friday night with an injured right groin suffered while beating out a hit, according to the Miami Herald. |
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| Brian Bannister allowed four runs on Thursday, though only one run was earned in his seven inning no-decision against the Athletics. |
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| Dana Eveland allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings of work against the Royals on Thursday. He stuck out five and didn't walk a batter. |
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| Joakim Soria pitched two strong innings Thursday night and collected his second victory of the season as the Royals scored in the bottom of the 11th, beating the visiting Athletics 5-4. |
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| Ben Sheets, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 9/4, 8:13 PM CT |
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| Ben Sheets is on schedule to make his start on Saturday after he was pulled from his last start due to "cramping" in his groin, according to MLB.com. "Nutrition and [hydration] is a big part of staying healthy, and we really focus on it. We come to find out that Benny, at times, has trouble doing that." |
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| Daric Barton was 2-for-4 with a home run in Oakland's loss against the Royals Thursday night. |
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| B.J. Upton, CF, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 9/4, 8:07 PM CT |
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| B.J. Upton's left shoulder continues to bother him, and in fact he has a torn labrum that will require off-season surgery, according to MLB.com. "At this point, there's nothing I can do about it, especially with Carl [Crawford] and Evan [Longoria] already out," Upton told the Times. "It's a little too late in the year, especially with the position we're in, for me to pull up lame. I just have to suck it up and keep grinding." |
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| Philip Humber is being counted on to provide depth in the Twins bullpen down the stretch, according to MLB.com. |
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| Dmitri Young, 1B, Washington Nationals | Thursday 9/4, 7:58 PM CT |
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| Dmitri Young (diabetes), currently playing at Single-A ball, is expected to rejoin the Nationals next Tuesday, according to MLB.com. |
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| Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants | Thursday 9/4, 7:47 PM CT |
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| Buster Posey, the Giants number one selection in the 2008 Entry draft, will join the Giants Single-A club in San Jose this weekend, according to the Giants Official Website. Posey will play for the club in the playoffs after hitting .385 in seven games with the Giants Arizona Rookie League club. |
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| John McDonald was on the bench for the fourth time in six games on Thursday night, according to MLB.com. With the return of Scott Rolen and the solid play of Marco Scutaro and Joe Inglett, there just hasn't been any room in the lineup for McDonald. |
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| Chad Reineke had an MRI on his shoulder, and though the results are not back yet, there is a growing suspicion that he might miss the rest of the season, according to MLB.com. |
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| Jody Gerut, CF, San Diego Padres | Thursday 9/4, 7:30 PM CT |
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| Jody Gerut's injured finger could keep him on the sidelines for another week, according to MLB.com. |
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| It turns out that Yunel Escobar won't need much time off after injuring his shoulder on Wednesday night as he showed up on Thursday, took batting practice, and said he was ready to go, according to MLB.com. |
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| Updating an earlier story, Chipper Jones did indeed return to the lineup on Thursday night for the Braves after he awoke with little swelling in his injured knee, according to MLB.com. "I don't have any fluid in my joints," said Jones. The pain has subsided pretty quickly." |
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| Jo-Jo Reyes will have his next start pushed back to Sunday after he spent some time away from the team for the birth of his first child., according to MLB.com. James Parr will start in his place on Thursday night against the Nationals. |
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| Ubaldo Jimenez was 6-1 with a 1.49 ERA in seven starts that began in July, so after his last outing out six runs in just 3.2 innings, and a rough August (5.79 ERA, 1.71 WHIP), he will look to rebound his next time on the hill, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
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| Blake DeWitt, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 9/4, 6:24 PM CT |
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| Angel Berroa and Blake DeWitt have teamed up in the middle of the infield in place of Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent, and the result has been a 5-game winning streak for the Dodgers, according to MLB.com. |
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| Angel Berroa, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 9/4, 6:19 PM CT |
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| Angel Berroa and Blake DeWitt have teamed up in the middle of the infield in place of Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent, and the result has been a 5-game winning streak for the Dodgers, according to MLB.com. |
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| Kenny Rogers may be in the final month of his big league career if he can't pull out of his recent slump, according to MLive. "I don't want to just hang on to wear the uniform. I'm being realistic in where I am in my age and career." |
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| Bobby Abreu, RF, New York Yankees | Thursday 9/4, 6:05 PM CT |
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| Bobby Abreu wasn't in the Yankees starting lineup on Thursday due to a sore left wrist, according to Newsday. In his place the club started Brett Gardner. |
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| Dustin Pedroia has been so hot of late that he is now being considered as a candidate for the AL MVP honor, according to the Boston Globe. |
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| Oliver Perez has pitched very well of late allowing two or fewer earned runs in 11 of his last 17 starts as he heads toward a big payday this off-season as one of the biggest arms on the free agent market, according to the New York Post. |
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| Randy Wolf, P, Houston Astros | Thursday 9/4, 5:52 PM CT |
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| Randy Wolf has pitched for 10 years in the majors and has never made the playoffs. As a result, he will look to sign with a team that he feels has a great shot making the playoffs next year when he is a free agent, according to MLB.com. |
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| Kila Kaaihue and recently recalled Ryan Shealy will split time at first base for the month of September, this according to the Kansas City Star. “I’m going to try to keep Shealy and KK both going there,” manager Trey Hillman said. “Basically, it will be a platoon unless there is something unforeseen with an injury.” |
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| Ian Kinsler had hoped to return next week to the playing field, but instead he will undergo surgery for his sports hernia thereby ending his 2008 season, according to the Dallas Morning News. "The doctor said the progress I was making just wasn't significant enough and if you don't have surgery for this, it's something you are always going to be dealing with," Kinsler said. "It's the only option." |
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| Scott Downs, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 9/4, 4:16 PM CT |
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| Scott Downs could be moved from his setup role back into the starting rotation next season, according to MLB.com. "We could put Downs in the rotation," Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said. "We have that option. We're talking about it, but, obviously, we have to sit down with him and see what he's comfortable with." |
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| Melvin Mora, 3B, Baltimore Orioles | Thursday 9/4, 4:12 PM CT |
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| Despite being named the AL Player of the Month of August Melvin Mora likely won't be in the lineup until next week, according to the Baltimore Sun. Mora, dealing with hamstring soreness said there was "no way" he would be able to play this weekend as hoped. |
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| Ryan Shealy, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 9/4, 4:09 PM CT |
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| Even though Ryan Shealy is battling for at-bats with fellow rookie Kila Ka'aihue he is grateful the Royals are giving him a shot. Shealy homered on Tuesday night against the A's. according to Royals.com. |
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| Even though the Brewers are facing another lefty tonight in Shawn Estes, Prince Fielder will be back in the lineup after a day off yesterday. Fielder has struggled mightily against lefties recently going 3-25 and has not homered in nearly three weeks, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. |
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| Mariners rookie Brandon Morrow will showcase his six pitch repertoire in his first major league start Friday night against the Yankees, according to MLB.com. |
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| Recent reports said that Rays rookie Evan Longoria could be ready soon but today the Rays say there is no definite time table for Longoria's return. Manager Joe Maddon said he isn't sure when he will. Maddon said Longoria would need at least two to three days after a batting practice session (without discomfort) before getting back in the lineup, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
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| It might not have been the return Troy Percival was looking for Wednesday night, but after his first appearance since being activated from the DL, Percival says he could pitch again tonight, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
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| Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds | Thursday 9/4, 3:30 PM CT |
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| The Pirates jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against the Reds, but thanks to Joey Votto, the Reds did not go away easily. Votto hit his 17th home run early in the game and also drove in the game-winning run in the eighth inning. |
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| Nate McLouth, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates | Thursday 9/4, 3:22 PM CT |
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| Nate McLouth continued his big season today, hitting his 24th home run in the Pirates loss to the Reds. |
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| Chris Gomez, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates | Thursday 9/4, 3:18 PM CT |
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| Chris Gomez hit his first home run of the season today against the Reds. The homer was Gomez's first of the season in over 170 at-bats. |
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| Jay Bruce, RF, Cincinnati Reds | Thursday 9/4, 3:13 PM CT |
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| Jay Bruce hit his 15th home run of the season today against the Pirates, his first since August 23. |
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| Tom Gorzelanny continued his dismal season with another loss, dropping his record to 6-10. Gorzelanny surrendered three runs and seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. |
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| Francisco Cordero recorded his 27th save today with a scoreless ninth inning in the Reds 8-6 win over the Pirates. |
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| Gary Matthews Jr. went 4-for-5 with two doubles while scoring two runs in the Angels 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. |
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| Even if the Tigers don't score much, second baseman Placido Polanco usually finds a way to deliver some hits, which is what happened in the Detroit's 7-1 loss to the Angels. Polanco went 2-for-4 on the day. |
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| Ervin Santana held the Tigers to one run over 7.1 innings while striking out eight to help lead the Angels to a 7-1 victory. He picked up his 15th win in the process. |
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| Kenny Rogers picked up his 13th loss of the season, as he was pounded all over the field by the Angels. In just two innings of work, Rogers gave up six runs on eight hits in the Tigers 7-1 loss. |
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| Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano underwent an MRI, and it showed that the right-hander is suffering from right shoulder inflammation and rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the AP. He received a shot in the arm - the literal kind, not the metaphorical kind - and is to begin throwing next week with hopes he will return soon after that. |
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| If the Angels cannot re-sign Mark Teixeira in the offseason, the team would likely turn to Kendry Morales to be it's full-time first baseman, according to MLB.com. |
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| Mets closer Billy Wagner threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he will throw a few more times before being activated from the DL on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News. |
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| Josh Fogg, P, Cincinnati Reds | Thursday 9/4, 1:40 PM CT |
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| Reds pitcher Josh Fogg had to exit his start on Thursday after three innings because of a right groin strain, according to Reds.com. He was injured while running the bases. |
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| Jerry Hairston Jr. is recovering enough from his hamstring ailment that he has been given the go-ahead to begin running, according to Reds.com. |
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| Luke Montz, C, Washington Nationals | Thursday 9/4, 1:30 PM CT |
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| The Washington Nationals have called up catcher Luke Montz, as the team needs an extra body since Jesus Flores is still on the mend from a collision at home plate, according to the Washington Post. |
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| The Cleveland Indians are reaping the rewards of the St. Louis Cardinals basically handing them pitcher Anthony Reyes, as he sported an ERA of 2.01 in August, the eighth best in all of baseball for the month, according to ESPN.com. |
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| The San Francisco Giants are interested in acquiring the services of Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to ESPN.com. |
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| The Milwaukee Brewers will listen to trade offers for hefty first baseman Prince Fielder during the offseason, reports Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. He also reported that the team would listen to offers for Bill Hall, Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy. |
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| Scott Rolen, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 9/4, 12:28 PM CT |
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| Scott Rolen believes he can still be a productive major league player now that he has made some adjustments to his batting stance, according to the Toronto Star. Rolen lowered his hands to account for range of motion issues that have occurred due to his shoulder woes. |
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| Dusty Baker said it would be up to Reds pitcher Aaron Harang whether or not he would pitch if he loses four more games and his record drops to 4-19, according to the Dayton Daily News. "I'd try not to let him do that. But I would leave it up to him. It would be his decision," Baker said. |
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| Yunel Escobar had to leave Wednesday's game after injuring his shoulder, but the malady is not serious, and he could return by the weekend, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
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| Braves third baseman Chipper Jones could return to the lineup on Thursday, as his injured right knee is healing, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
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| Jason Giambi showed up to the stadium with a right eye that had a cut and some swelling on it on Wednesday. When asked what happened, Giambi admitted he lost a battle with the bathroom door, according to the New York Post. "I walked into the bathroom door at the hotel and split it open. There was so much blood the maid probably was wondering where the body was hid," Giambi told the paper. |
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| Freddy Sanchez returned to the Pirates lineup on Wednesday, after an MRI on his aching right shoulder found nothing wrong, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
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| In the ongoing saga that is Scott Boras (okay, and Pedro Alvarez also) vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team's President, Frank Coonelly, said he thinks that Alvarez will be joining the team soon, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
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| Mike Aviles, SS, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 9/4, 11:26 AM CT |
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| Though it is doubtful he wins the award, Kansas City's Mike Aviles should be in consideration with Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria for AL Rookie of the Year, according to the Kansas City Star. "If I’m even mentioned in that discussion, it’s a good thing," Aviles said. |
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| The San Diego Padres are interested in bringing closer Trevor Hoffman back, and the team would like to start negotiating on a new contract with him soon, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I want to keep pitching. I've still got two or three more years in me," Hoffman said. |
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| Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina could be pitching every fifth day, instead of every fifth game, meaning he would get one more turn in the rotation this season, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. |
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| Curtis Granderson hits with enough authority that he may be moved down in the order - but not this sesaon, according to the Detroit Free-Press. "We don't have that guy (to hit leadoff), and it's exciting when he leads off with doubles and triples. It's still good for us when he leads off. But he's matured enough to where he can knock in runs," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. |
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| Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets | Thursday 9/4, 10:25 AM CT |
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| With his 47th stolen base of the season on Wednesday, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes tied Mookie Wilson for the most steals in franchise history, with 281, according to New York Newsday. |
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| Eric Byrnes, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 9/4, 10:21 AM CT |
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| Eric Byrnes is not likely to return to the team this season as he tries to come back from a hamstring tear, according to the Arizona Republic. |
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| Alex Rodriguez passed Mike Schmidt by hitting his 549th home run on Wednesday, good for 12th all-time, according to New York Newsday. He is now chasing former Yankee Reggie Jackson on the all-time list, though he won't get there this year, as Jackson hit 563 career home runs. |
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| Gary Sheffield's right shoulder has been sore, and he may not be able to play Thursday, according to the Detroit Free-Press. |
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| Shane Victorino has been struggling for the Phillies recently, and has just five hits in his last 35 at-bats, so he did not play on Wednesday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
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| Kyle Kendrick has been bad in recent outings, and the Phillies will skip his next start, and possibly remove him from the rotation entirely, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. |
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| Frank Thomas will not return this season, as he was placed on the 60-day disabled list, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. |
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