Bruney, K-Rod escalates during pre-game drills

Yesterday, Yankees reliever Brian Bruney commented about the blown save by Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez on Friday night and his showmanship.

Specifically, Bruney told the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Couldn't have happened to a better guy on the mound, either. He's got a tired act. He gets what he deserves, man. I just don't like watching the guy pitch. I think it's embarrassing."

So, during today's pre-game drills, K-Rod sought out Bruney (or anyone who might be Bruney).

"I saw [K-Rod] walking with attitude and asking guys, 'Is it him?' " [Mets pitcher Mike] Pelfrey said. "The next thing I know, he was in [Bruney's] face."

According to the "nobody," I mean, Bruney, the air has been cleared.

"I probably shouldn't have said what I said [Saturday], but I made that mistake and learned from it. The guy has had a great career. I don't have anything at this point to hang my hat on. I don't have a World Series title like he does. I don't have the save record like he does. For me it was nothing personal against Frankie. I've heard he is a good dude."

Do you believe him?

Halladay's next start pushed back

Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay left last night's game in the fourth inning with a strained groin.

Now, the Blue Jays will push back his next start from Thursday to (at least) Saturday, per the Associated Press.

"He wants to pitch but he's also smart, too," [Jays manager Cito] Gaston said. "Some guys might have tried to stay out there, but he didn't. He knew there was something going on. It's better that you're that way than trying to play through it sometimes."

Halladay is 10-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched this season.

Jake Peavy to miss a month

The San Diego Padres are going to be without Jake Peavy for at least a month due to his injured ankle, according to the Associated Press.

Peavy initially injured the ankle while running the bases in his start after rejecting a trade that would have sent him to the White Sox.

Although he pitched with it taped since then, the extent of the injury is worse than originally thought.

"I was getting treatment and we were getting by," said Peavy. "Up until yesterday, I thought it was manageable. It could have gotten ugly if we didn't take the action that we did."

The Padres will start Josh Greer in Peavy's place tonight.

Peavy will wear a walking boot for the next four weeks.

With approximately a month and a half to go until the MLB trade deadline, this likely will end any chance of Peavy, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, getting traded this season.

The Hot Corner, 6/12 edition

Fans of Bobby Valentine, manager of Chiba Lotte Marines, have signed a petition (100,000 strong) in support of Valentine staying beyond 2009.

Filling in for Phillies' injured closer Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson has converted saves on back-to-back nights.

The Phillies won last night's game on a 10th-inning homer by Raul Ibanez, which is his 21st of the season.

In order to make room for Koji Uehara, who's returning from the DL, the Orioles demoted David Hernandez to Triple-A Norfolk.

In order to make room for Pat Burrell, the Rays optioned Matt Joyce to Triple-A Durham.

Giants outfielder Fred Lewis finished the Giants' road trip 3-for-24.

A tenth-inning home run by Chase Headley gave the Padres a 9-7 win over the D'Backs.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't hate the Cubs, just Wrigley.

Manager Lou Piniella, frustrated by the Cubs finish to a 4-4 road trip, said, "''I know the game isn't the easiest in the world to play, because I played it for a long time. But it's not this damn hard. Come on. It's not this hard.''

The Rangers signed Orlando Hernandez to a minor-league contract on Thursday.

The Angels are sending Kelvim Escobar to the bullpen.

The Red Sox have now beaten the Yankees in all eight games played this season.

In the 48th round of the MLB amateur draft, the Tigers selected Jake Porcello, brother of Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello.

The Mets placed pitcher John Maine of the 15-day disabled list.

Mets third baseman David Wright is "excited to get over there and see what the new [Yankee] stadium is about." Especially so, considering his power struggles at Citi Field.

The Mets begin the Subway Series coming off two extra-inning losses in a row.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton expects to beat the four-to-six-week timeframe, saying "my expectations are always bigger than everybody else’s. Right now they’ve got it set at four to six. I’m going to let you guys think it’s four to six."

Speaking of his eighth-inning error, Marlins outfielder Cody Ross said, "I lost the game. I whiffed it. That's it, flat out."

David Wright says he was joking about frustrations

Mets third baseman says he was joking about being frustrated with the dimensions of Citi Field.

"That was me having a good time with Chipper because I saw the look on his face after, you know, hitting 800 feet worth of fly balls and no home runs," Wright said Tuesday before the Mets played Philadelphia.

Ha ha. Good one, David.

And Chipper feels sorry for Mets' players now. Unless, of course, he's just "joking."

"It is the biggest park that I have ever played in in my life. It is a huge ballpark to center and right center and right field," Jones told Sirius XM Radio on Monday. "You know, I actually feel sort of sorry for some of the guys out there because their power numbers are really going to take a hit; guys like David Wright, (Carlos) Beltran, (Carlos) Delgado. The days of them hitting 35, 40 homers -- they're over."

In 200 at bats in 2009, Wright has three home runs. He hit his last home run on May 7th.

In 2007, Wright hit 30 homers in 604 at bats. In 2008, Wright hit 33 homers in 626 at bats.

If he gets 626 at bats in 2009 and maintains his current pace, he will finish 2009 with 9.39 home runs.

Funny, isn't it?

The Hot Corner, 6/9 edition

Apparently, the White Sox Net crew have the ability to turn back the clock as Marcus Thames hit the "1st home run of career," as our friends at Detroit4Lyfe pointed out.

As expected, the Nationals drafted Stephen Strasburg with the top overall pick and the Mariners drafted Dustin Ackley with the second overall pick in tonight's MLB draft.

With the fourth overall pick, the Pirates selected Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez.

Yankees reliever Brian Bruney could return next week.

Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times believes that Erik Bedard should qualify for Type A free agency, which would net the Mariners two draft picks if he leaves via free agency.

The Sunday starter for the Detroit Tigers is will be either Jeremy Bonderman or Dontrelle Willis, according to the Detroit Free Press. The other will lose his roster spot.

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution asks whether Jair Jurrjens is the "real ace" of the Braves' staff.

Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch will have Tommy John surgery on Friday.

The Rays added Jorge Julio, who will pitch for Triple-A Durham.

Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger asks the question, "Could Phil Hughes turn into the next Joba Chamberlain for the New York Yankees?"

Cardinals SS Khalil Greene started his rehab assignment.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said about Fernando Martinez: "Some believe that 250 at-bats, no matter how you get them here, are better than every day at Triple-A. So we have to find a number that we feel, whether it's three out of seven or four out of seven a week that would equate enough to warrant him staying here full time."

Liz Bonds filed for a legal separation from hubby Barry, per Lance Williams of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants would like to see Matt Cain go to the 2009 All-Star game.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Yankees first basemen Mark Teixeira, who leads the A.L. in homers (18), says "we've crushed balls all over the place. We hit more home runs today than they did, didn't we? Someone's got to give us credit eventually.''

Harden to miss rehab start today

Cubs pitcher Rich Harden, who was placed on the DL on May 18, was scheduled to make a rehab start today for Triple-A Iowa. Per the Chicago Tribune, he was scratched for undisclosed reasons.

Harden was also supposed to pitch Friday against the Twins, but that will be pushed back as well.

In eight starts, Harden is 4-2 with an ERA of 4.74 and 53 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings.

He has missed four starts while on the DL.

The Hot Corner, 6/7 edition

"John Maine might be going through a period of dead arm or whatever," [Mets manager Jerry] Manuel said. "I just didn't see the electric stuff we've been known to see, and that's a little concerning when that happens." The Mets lost 7-1 to the Nats.

David Wells said Jose Canseco suggested Wells use HGH when they were White Sox teammates, but Wells passed.

Carlos Beltran says nuh uh to Pittsburgh's Adam Laroche, who said Beltran doesn't have any class. Beltran said: "I've got class. And I've got what he said that I don't have."

To keep 20-year-old Fernando Martinez in the big leagues, the Mets designated Emil Brown for assignment after activating Ryan Church.

The Padres moved Chase Headley back to third and he said "it's fun to be back there."

Tony Gwynn Jr. reached base five times in the Padres' 6-4 win over the D'Backs last night.

Despite his 2-5 start, Jonathan Sanchez is not in danger of losing his spot in the Giants' rotation.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge has now blown two saves this weekend and six on the season.

Expect fastballs from Ricky Nolasco when he returns. "Pitch with his fastball," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's what he does best. I think he got away from that a little bit. In a couple of starts he had at Triple-A, he did that."

"The last 10 (pitches) I cranked it up a little bit, and I felt like I was throwing fairly hard," [D'Backs pitcher Brandon Webb] said [of yesterday's bullpen session]. "That was good."

K-Rod and Brian Fuentes, his replacement in L.A., are tied for the major league lead in saves (15).

Orioles Felix Pie left Saturday's game after a foul ball bounced and hit him in the throat.

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler is near his career high in home runs (20 in 2007) with 15 already this season.

Detroit's Jim Leyland sat Miguel Cabrera for a second straight game on Saturday.

Florida's Andrew Miller was sharp in his outing yesterday against the Giants.

A's reliever Dan Giese will need surgery that probably will sideline him for at least a year.

Detroit's Edwin Jackson pitched a four-hit complete game to beat the Angels yesterday.

The Reds beat the Cubs in extra innings on a throwing error by Mike Fontenot.

Has anyone had a better 24 hours than the Dodgers' Andre Ethier? Ethier's led the Dodgers to back-to-back wins with walk-off hits.

The Hot Corner, 6/5 edition

Giants pitcher Randy Johnson got his 300th career win.

In their double-header, Giants pitcher Matt Cain won the nightcap tie N.L. league leaders in wins (seven).

Yankees pitcher David Robertson got yesterday's win after throwing only one pitch.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels threw a five-hit shutout to beat the Dodgers 3-0.

Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett was suspended six games and fined $2000 after throwing high at Rangers Nelson Cruz. Vincente Padilla fined only $750 after hitting Mark Teixeira with two pitches.

The White Sox called up Gordon Beckham, their #1 pick in 2008.

Adam Lind tied a Blue Jays record for consecutive hits (eight in a row).

After yesterday's 3-1 win over the Reds, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter has lowered his ERA to 0.71 on the season.

Colorado catcher Yorvit Torrealba's 11-year-old son and brother-in-law were released by kidnappers a day after being abducted in Venezuela.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera pulled his hamstring in the second inning of yesterday's game and hopes to play today.

Minnesota's Jason Kubel hit 842 feet worth of homeruns yesterday.

Boston's David Ortiz plans to get his vision tested.

One Tommy (Glavine) out, one Tommy (Hanson) in

The Atlanta Braves have released pitcher Tom Glavine, who won 305 career games.

Glavine, who threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start on Tuesday, would have been due a cool $1 million if he were placed on the active roster.

In the off-season, Glavine signed a one-year contract with $1 million in guarantees and $4.5 million worth of incentives.

According to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves GM Frank Wren didn't give the "it's-just-business" standard line.

“It’s not a business decision from our perspective,” said Wren, who watched Glavine in Class AAA Gwinnett last Thursday. “It’s a performance decision.”

Glavine told the AJC that he was "surprised and disappointed” and his agent says Glavine will look to pitch elsewhere.

In the meantime, the Braves have called up phenom Tommy Hanson - no relation to this blogger unless, of course, Tommy is willing to fund some "Hanson family" projects.

Hanson will make his major league debut on Saturday as the team's fifth starter against the Brewers. Kris Medlen, who was scheduled to start, will now move to the bullpen.

In 11 starts in Triple-A, Hanson posted a 1.49 ERA and opposing batters hit only .169 against him. He also struck out 90 batters in 66 1/3 innings.

The Hot Corner, 6/3 PM edition

Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis has a furry fan.

Reds manager Dusty Baker will try to get Willy Taveras back this weekend against the Cubs. Taveras has a sore hamstring.

Angels pitcher Jered Weaver struck out 10 Blue Jays' batters tonight.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says of move to play Dewayne Wise over Brian Anderson: "If they don't like it, it's not my problem."

Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira was a scratch from Wednesday's lineup and Chien-Ming Wang will get the start Thursday.

Mets demote J.J. Putz from set-up role, which now belongs to Bobby Parnell.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is day-to-day due to hamstring.

Orioles catcher Chad Moeller cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie, who is still a few weeks away from returning, hopes to take BP this weekend.

The Hot Corner, 6/3 edition

Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores may miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Mets 20-year-old outfielder Fernando Martinez might stay at the major-league level longer than expected.

Mets' ace Johan Santana now has three losses on the season as the Mets loss to the Pirates 3-1. This time he gave up an earned run. Actually, three of them.

John Harper of the NY Daily News says that the "unexpected fire" of Mark Teixeira is just what the Yankees need.

Jays ace Roy Halladay struck out 14 batters to earn his ninth win in a 6-4 complete-game win over the Angels.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona got his 500th win with the Sox.

That win ended Tigers rookie Rick Porcello's five-game winning streak.

Phillies rookie Antonio Bastardo got his first career win as the Phillies beat the Padres 10-5. Bastardo allowed only one run in six innings.

Giants pitcher Randy Johnson goes for his 300th win tonight.

Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard pitched a gem against his former team.

Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki extended his hit streak to 26 games, which is a franchise record.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton could miss "months" with a right abdominal strain. "Worst case is surgery, and there wasn’t an immediate diagnosis of that," [assistant GM Thad] Levine said. "The week or two will probably reveal a lot. In a week or two he could show significant improvement, so I think there’s a chance the DL stint will be exactly what he needs."

Reds pitcher Edison Volquez was placed on the DL, but manager Dusty Baker said: "It's the best news it could be for bad news because there is nothing structurally wrong, nothing in the joint."

Grady Sizemore placed on the DL

The Cleveland Indians have placed Grady Sizemore on the 15-day disabled list.

The culprit is inflammation in his left elbow.

Sizemore, the team's center fielder, has been used as the Indians DH in nine of the 12 previous games in which he has played.

Chris Gimenez of Triple-A affiliate Columbus has been called up to take Sizemore's roster spot.

Gimenez can play a variety of positions including the outfield and catcher. In the minors, he has played 24 games as catcher, 11 as left fielder and three as first baseman this season.

Indians catcher Victor Martinez was out of the lineup today against the Yankees and he left yesterday's game in the first inning after fouling a pitch off his knee.

On the season, Sizemore was hitting .223 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 49 games.

The Hot Corner, 5/31 edition

Ichiro has a 23-game hitting streak, which two shy of his franchise record 25-game streak.

The Tampa Bay Rays have called up Matt Joyce. In turn, they sent pitcher Dale Thayer down to Triple-A Durham.

Brewers reliever David Riske, who will see specialist Lewis Yocum on Monday, may need "Tommy John" surgery.

Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson is now 6-0 all-time against the Mets.

Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios had four hits against the Red Sox.

Tigers pitchers Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello each finished May 5-0 and have become the first pair of Tigers pitchers since 2000 to each win five games in the same calendar month.

Red Sox outfielder Rocco Baldelli left Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in the fifth inning after slamming into the wall and injuring his knee.

The Diamondbacks placed Chad Tracy on the 15-day disabled list.

The Reds placed Joey Votto on the 15-day disabled list.

Yesterday, Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez got the first two hits of his career.

Mets pitcher Oliver Perez had an MRI yesterday that revealed tendinitis in his knee. His start for Triple-A Buffalo has been canceled for today. "He's not going to get out pitching rehab games until we feel everything is OK with the knee," [Mets GM Omar] Minaya said.

Despite back problems in his last start, Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte says he'll make his next start.

Randy Galloway of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Tom Hicks departure as majority owner of the Rangers could also mean the departure of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

Rockies new manager Jim Tracy said of Tony Gwynn Jr.: “The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I've seen that swing before somewhere.”

Mike Serby of the New York Post would put Gary Sheffield and Johan Santana on his All-Gangster team.

The Nationals have demoted Justin Maxwell, sending him back to Triple-A Syracuse, and recalled infielder Alberto Gonzalez.

Blue Jays pitcher Brian Tallet threw 59 pitches in the first two innings yesterday, but "then all of a sudden he got his control back and started to make some pitches," manager Cito Gaston said, according to the Toronto Star.

Despite leaving the Giants game trailing, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter got the win yesterday. He now has eight wins on the season.

The Giants are considering keeping Pablo Sandoval at first even after his elbow is better.

Marlins moved Chris Coghlan to leadoff and he saw 32 pitches from Mets' pitchers.

Phillies have called up Antonio Bastardo and he will start Tuesday against the Padres.

Travis Buck was shocked to be placed on the DL by the A's: "I came to the ballpark fully expecting to play, and I was kind of shocked they put me on the DL."

The Hot Corner, 5/30 edition

Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the lineup today and had two hits in the win against the New York Mets.

Mets starter Tim Redding may not be in the Mets' rotation for much longer after another poor performance. His ERA now is 9.20.

David Lennon of Newsday was confused by Mets manager Jerry Manuel's decisions not pull Fernando Martinez for not running out a pop-out and to sit David Murphy following a five-RBI game.

Dwight "Doc" Gooden is opening a baseball academy in New Jersey.

The Mets traded Ramon Castro to the White Sox for right-handed pitcher Lance Broadway, who will report to Triple-A Buffalo.

Are the Yankees and Red Sox targeting the same prospect - David Renfro, who also is considering accepting a scholarship to Mississippi?

Due to his social anxiety disorder, Khalil Greene was placed on the disabled list by the St. Louis Cardinals, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

After electing to have hip surgery, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers will likely miss the remainder of the 2009 season.

Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria may be activated from the DL without a stint at Triple-A Omaha.

Reds manager Dusty Baker said of his team: "We have guys who get along, no jealousies, and they like playing together. They are highly competitive against the other team and highly competitive with each other and with no jealousy."

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit is still three weeks away from returning.

The plantar fasciitis in his left foot has landed White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 26th.

Bobby Crosby says of playing all four infield positions for the A's: "It is interesting coming to the park and not knowing where I'm going to play. At the same time, it would be more fun knowing you have one spot and working on that one spot. It is a challenge, which is always good."

Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano is dealing with a sore left knee, but he "can still play."

Astros closer Jose Valverde rejoined the team on Friday. “Next week I’m going to throw bullpens and then live batting practice. Then the week after that I’ll go to Round Rock or Double-A. That’s what I’m expecting.”

The Minnesota Twins have placed shortstop Nick Punto on the 15-day DL with a right groin strain.

Reigning A.L. MVP Dustin Pedroia hasn't homered since Opening Day.

Until Aramis Ramirez returns, the Cubs will play Mike Fontenot at third.

According to Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger, Yankees starter Andy Pettitte will do a limited program to get ready for his next start after having back issues last night.

A tight hamstring kept Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake out of the lineup on Saturday.