Joba's Momma arrested

The mother of New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain faces a felony charge for selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Nebraska in February.

She was arrested on Saturday and her bail was set at $5,000. She was charged today with delivery of an exceptionally hazardous drug.

The impact of the economy (and empty $2500 $1250 seats in Yankee Stadium) is being felt more than I would have ever imagined.

Perez out of, Takahashi into starting rotation

Per ESPN, the New York Mets have moved (previously) starting pitcher Oliver Perez to the bullpen.

Ken Takahashi will replace Perez in the starting lineup.

Perez has pitched horribly (1-2 record with 9.97 ERA) this season. In fact, his most recent start was relief-like (2 1/3 innings against the Phillies).

Cubs place Carlos Zambrano on DL

The Chicago Cubs have placed pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the 15-day DL.

Zambrano tweaked his hamstring yesterday while beating a bunt in the fifth inning.

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, GM Jim Hendry expects Zambrano will "probably need two to two-and-a-half weeks" to recover.

The Cubs recalled infielder Bobby Scales from Triple-A, but they will likely call up a starter from the minors to make what would have been Zambrano's start on Friday at Milwaukee.

Per Hendry, one pitcher it won't be is Jeff Samardzija, who has been working relief for the past 11 days.

The Hot Corner, 5/4 (A.M) edition

The Miami Dolphins have a new man in charge, Michael Dee, who spent the previous five years as COO of the Boston Red Sox.

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Tom Gordon strained his hammy while tagging out Rickie Weeks at home plate.

Washington Nationals ex-closer Joel Hanrahan wants his old job back.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a 10-0 start at home, besting the franchise's previous mark set by the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.

Speaking of his strained hamstring, "Of course it will be a [disabled-list stint]," [Milwaukee Brewers reliever Doug] Brocail said. "No doubt."

While Boston Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz won't be ready by June 1st, he'll be back at some point in June.

Detroit Tigers catcher Matt Treanor is expected to miss the rest of the season.

The Twins activated reliever Jesse Crain and sent Jose Morales to Triple-A Rochester even though he was hitting .340.

Padres closer Heath Bell is frustrated by the lack of save opportunities. "I'm not saying I'm the savior or anything. I just want to help out." From April 19th to May 3rd, Bell has appeared in only two games.

Is Colorado Rockies reliever Manny Corpas on way to minors? "I'm trying to do my job; I don't want to go down," [Corpas] said. "I don't know what happened. My confidence is OK, but I don't know what happened."

The Yankees and Red Sox face off for the first time at the new Yankees Stadium. Great seats are still available at half off (only $1250).

The Phillies have activated catcher Carlos Ruiz from the disabled list.

Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley was ejected for arguing a called strike on Aubrey Huff in the fifth inning in Sunday's game.

Aramis Ramirez back in Monday's lineup?

Per the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Cubs will have their third baseman back in tomorrow's lineup against the San Francisco Giants.

When Aramis Ramirez returns to the lineup, manager Lou Piniella says he's "going to change the combo a little."

According to the Chicago Tribune, Ramirez will likely bat fifth behind Derrek Lee and in front of Milton Bradley.

Ramirez, who hasn't played since pinch-hitting on May 1st, is leading the Cubs in batting with a .352 average.

Cubs retire #31 for Jenkins and Maddux

Last month, the Atlanta Braves announced they would retire number 31 in honor of Greg Maddux on July 17th.

Today, the Chicago Cubs retired number 31 in honor of Maddux and Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins.

Previously, the Cubs have retired four other numbers: 10 (Ron Santo), 14 (Ernie Banks), 23 (Ryne Sandberg) and 26 (Billy Williams).

Major League Baseball retired number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

"It's a tremendous honor," Maddux said, "and it's pretty cool to have it up there with Fergie, too."

"The fun part of doing what we did is putting that uniform on, and you're at home on that field in the ballpark," Jenkins said. "It's your second home."

"I always felt like it was a privilege to wear the uniform," Maddux said. "Almost every day, when I was sitting there putting it on, I would realize it was a privilege and an honor to put on the uniform.

"Because I felt that way, I tried to do it right," Maddux said. "I just tried to do it right every day and didn't worry about what the score was in the ninth inning. As long as I did everything right before the game was over, I felt pretty good about myself."

Both pitchers had two separate stints with the Cubs. Jenkins pitched for the Cubs from 1966-73 and 1982-83. Maddux pitched for the Cubs from 1986-92 and 2004-06.

In his career, Jenkins won 284 games, struck out 3,192 batters and had an ERA of 3.34. He won the Cy Young in 1971 when he threw 30 complete games that year.

Maddux finished with 355 wins, struck out 3,371 batters and had an ERA of 3.16 in his career. He won four Cy Young awards consecutively from 1992 to 1995, the first of which was won with the Cubs.

Carlos Zambrano left today's game with strained hammy

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano left today's game against the Florida Marlins in the fifth inning with a strained hamstring.

Zambrano allowed two runs and four hits in the five innings he pitched.

He was hurt after beating out a bunt in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rich Harden ran for him and scored on a Derrek Lee grand slam.

Per the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs will evaluate Zambrano over the next two days to determine the severity of the injury. His next scheduled start is Friday against Houston.

Six steals for Carl Crawford today

Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek should be ashamed of himself. It's as if he were giving bases away today.

Varitek allowed Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford to steal six bases in today's game.

In total, the Rays set a team record by stealing eight bases on Varitek.

Catcher Michel Hernandez got his first career steal and shortstop Jason Bartlett stole a base as well.

Royals place Tony Pena on DL

The Kansas City Royals have placed SS Tony Pena on the 15-day disabled list today.

Pena, who remained in the game, fractured a bone in his left hand during last night's game against the Minnesota Twins.

The Royals have called up Luis Hernandez from from Triple-A Omaha.

"He's been hitting pretty good," Royals manager Trey Hillman said before Sunday's game against the Twins. "From my understanding, he's been playing well. He gives us another switch hitter, which never hurts. He's got a little bit of experience."

Pena was hitless in his 11 at bats on the season.

Orioles to use closer-by-committee approach (for now)

Per the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley says that he will choose the O's closer based on the situation on a "day-by-day" basis.

In his first 24 save opportunities since being acquired from Seattle, George Sherrill converted 22 of those opportunities. Since then, he has blown six of his next 19 opportunities including last night's loss in extra innings.

"George will keep you on the tightrope more times than not," Trembley said. "There is not a whole lot of save opportunities for him that come rather easy, but I would admit that the location of some of his pitches haven't been as good as they were last year."

Trembley didn't specify which relievers would get save opportunities. Other options include Chris Ray, who was the team's closer in 2006 and 2007, as well as Danys Baez and Jim Johnson.

The Hot Corner, 5/3 edition

Milwaukee Brewers LF Ryan Braun is out of the lineup for a second game in a row with a stiff back.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate was placed on the 15-day disabled list and the team recalled Bob McCrory to take his roster spot.

Major League Baseball will investigate the statements made by Alex Rodriguez surrounding his usage of performance-enhancing drugs.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi questioned why the release of Selena Roberts' book on A-Rod was moved up to this Monday.

The Detroit Tigers are concerned about young pitchers Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry.

Colorado's Ryan Spillbrough had two homeruns and two stolen bases in yesterday's win over the Giants.

Phillies' ace Cole Hamels may not be able to pitch against the Cardinals. "He could probably pitch if he just stood on the mound and didn't do anything but pitch, but that's not how it works," said Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

Braves outfielder Garrett Anderson, who will be activated the DL on Tuesday, turned down the opportunity of a one-day rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Matt LaPorta will make his MLB debut Sunday. "I was sitting in the whirlpool this morning, and the manager came in and told me I was in the lineup," said LaPorta, who was set to make his Major League debut. "I'm pretty pumped up about it."

The Cardinals scratched Kyle Lohse from Sunday's start against the Washington Nationals due to the weather.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsusaka will make a minor league rehab start on Tuesday.

Tony Gwynn, college coach of Stephen Strasburg, says he would select the SDSU ace with the 99-mph fastball with the #1 overall pick if he were making the selection for the Nationals.

With players like Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler, Brandon Phillips, Robinson Cano and others, is this the golden age of second basemen?

Is Oliver Perez heading to the bullpen or the minors?

Mariners place Brandon Morrow on DL

The Seattle Mariners placed Brandon Morrow on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday. The move is retroactive to April 24th.

Morrow hasn't pitched since April 23rd and has five saves in seven opportunities.

The Mariners have recalled Denny Stark from Triple-A affiliate Tacoma to take Morrow's roster spot.

David Aardsma, who has three saves and an ERA of 2.61 through Saturday's game, should receive the bulk of save opportunities while Morrow is on the DL.

The Mariners currently lead the A.L. West with a 14-10 record.

Ryan Braun sits with tight back

Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun did not play in Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Braun's back tightened in Friday night's game and he was a game-time decision for Saturday's game.

He is hitting .314 with five homeruns and 16 runs batted in this season.

Could you knock out Jose Canseco?

Will you be in the Miami area on Saturday afternoon? Got $50? Wanna fight Jose Canseco?

On June 27th in Fort Lauderdale, Canseco will fight a three-round bout against an opponent that affirmatively answers those three questions per Jose Lambiet of The Palm Beach Post.

Applications are being accepted at Dadeland Mall near Miami noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Part of the proceeds will go to the John Graziano Foundation. Graziano was severely injured in a street-racing accident in which Nick Bollea, son of Hulk Hogan, served 166 days in jail.

It appears that the main criteria to be selected is that you don't look like Danny Bonaduce, who Canseco fought in a celebrity boxing match in January.

“We’ll pick the person who we think won’t get hurt,” promoter Damon Feldman said. “Canseco’s a big guy.”

Between now and the June 27th fight, Canseco will make his mixed martial arts debut against the 7-foot-2 South Korean Choi Hong-man in Tokyo later this month.

After Hong-man (insert your own joke here) gets done with Canseco, I'd like to be the next to kick his ass. Luckily for him, I'm not in Miami.

More A-Roids than he admitted?

When New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted that he took steroids, many feel into two groups.

One credited him for admitting more than they'd expected him to admit. The other (larger) group continued to bash A-Rod (or A-Fraud or A-Roid or whatever they called him) and believed he wasn't telling the full truth.

So, not surprisingly for many, new allegations have surfaced.

Per SI's Selena Roberts' new book (due out May 12), via the New York Daily News, Rodriguez continued to use steroids when he was in New York and also used them as early as his teenage years.

Per the report, a major leaguer said A-Rod and Kevin Brown were together with HGH in 2004.

Two anonymous Yankees believed he was taking performance-enhancing drugs based on the side effects they had seen. In fact, teammates called him "Bitch Tits" because of his rounded pecs.

Also, a clubhouse employee said that Yankees' management wondered about his usage as well.

"No one ever asked Alex directly that I know of, but there was a lot of suspicion in house," the employee is quoted as saying.

Not only is A-Rod accused of using steroids at times to which he did not admit, Roberts' book accuses him of "pitch tipping."

In other words, when the game was out of reach, he would signal to friends what pitch was coming and they would return the favor.