March 2012 - Baseball Wiretap
Pirates Release Nate McLouth
The Pirates have requested waivers for the purpose of giving Nate McLouth his unconditional release.
McLouth has been released from the Pirates and will become a free agent pending the outcome of the waiver process.
Cubs May Call Up Rizzo In June
The Cubs will have to discuss promoting top prospect Anthony Rizzo in June, according to manager Dave Sveum.
Sveum added that Rizzo, a first baseman, will have to play regularly once he is called up to the Major Leagues.
Cabrera Could Earn More Than Swisher
Melky Cabrera and Nick Swisher will both hit the free agent market this coming winter.
Both outfielders are switch-hitters, but Swisher has more power than Cabrera.
However, Cabrera is faster, has a superior arm and is more than three years younger.
Cabrera is also on the upswing. He is hitting .376 for the Giants and has 278 hits since the start of the 2011 season.
Wilpon Urges Patience With Wright Deal
Mets executive Jeff Wilpon reiterated general manager Sandy Alderson's call for patience on Wednesday, saying that extension talks with David Wright are not necessarily imminent.
"He's under contract for this year," Wilpon said of the third baseman.
"We have an option for next year. There's no gun to anybody's head. So let it just play out, and at the right time Sandy and I will discuss it, and it will move on."
Alderson said that he planned to speak to Wright's agent at some point this season.
The Mets hold a $16 million option on Wright's contract for the 2013 season, meaning there is no rush for the team to negotiate with its star third baseman.
Tulowitzki Fears He's Headed For DL
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said it was possible he could go to the 15-day disabled list after straining his left groin on Wednesday night.
Tulowitzki said how he feels Thursday will determine the next step in dealing with an injury that has lingered since the season-opening series in Houston in April.
"It's tough," the shortstop said. "The first thing I thought about was we're playing well and we have a chance for a sweep [Thursday against the Astros]. But sitting there thinking about it, there's nothing you can really do. When you're hurt, you're hurt.
"There are some other guys around the league that are dealing with the same sort of things. Only for so long you can keep going out there until you need to get it right. My groin has been bothering me. There have been tweaks here and there and I'd get a day [off], but this is worse than just the kind of tweak I'd normally felt."
Rockies Designate Moyer For Assignment
Jamie Moyer has been designated for assignment by the Rockies.
Moyer, 49, said in a news conference that he still had hopes of continuing his career elsewhere but his immediate plan was to return home and attend a son's high school graduation.
"It's a tough pill to swallow but it's part of the business," the left-hander said.
The Rockies recalled Carlos Torres from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take Moyer's roster spot.
Martin Has Odd Run-In With Umpire
Yankees catcher Russell Martin said plate umpire Laz Diaz decided on an unusual way to punish him for arguing balls and strikes.
Martin said Diaz wouldn't allow him to throw new baseballs back to his pitchers after fouls during New York's 6-5 win over the Angels on Wednesday night.
The catcher said he and Diaz got into it early in the game, and Martin said Diaz "was punishing me" by making all the throws himself.
Lucroy: Wife Target Of Hate Messages
Jonathan Lucroy told Milwaukee radio station WSSP-AM 1250 that his wife has received hateful messages since he broke his hand in a hotel room accident Sunday night.
The Brewers catcher was hurt while reaching under the bed for a sock while his wife, Sarah, shifted a suitcase that fell and struck his right hand, fracturing the fifth metacarpal.
"It's tough for me, because this is already a freak thing as it is," Lucroy said. "My wife has been getting hate mail on her Facebook, like, messages and stuff. It's really sad that these kinds of things happen from a freak thing. I mean, she didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident. Stranger things have happened.
"It's been a battle for me, personally, because there's no one to blame, and my wife is getting killed by this. It's not like she's not hurt enough already, not feeling guilty enough already. I really wish people would just leave her alone, leave us alone, just let us try to move forward, and get this behind us, because this has been a brutal couple of days."
Tulowitzki Out With Groin Strain
Troy Tulowitzki left Wednesday night's game against the Astros in the seventh inning with what the team said was a strained left groin.
The Rockies shortstop appeared to suffer the injury while running out an infield ground out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Tulowitzki is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Thursday.
"We don't know anything more than just that. We just have to wait and see to what extent," manager Jim Tracy said.
Report: Halladay Gets Second Opinion
Roy Halladay received a second opinion Wednesday on his right latissimus dorsi strain, according to a report.
Phillies doctor David Altchek saw Halladay for the second opinion.
A team official told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Halladay plans to speak publicly about the situation after team doctor Michael Ciccotti.
He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Matt Kemp Set For MRI On Hamstring
Just a day after coming off the disabled list, Matt Kemp aggravated his left hamstring injury.
Matsui First To Play 10 Seasons In Japan, Majors
Hideki Matsui made baseball history on Tuesday when he played for the Rays against the White Sox.
Jennings Set To Begin Rehab Assignment
Desmond Jennings, who hasn't played since May 11, is one step closer to rejoining the Rays.
Chapman's Hotel Room Robbed, Woman Found Bound
A robber ransacked left-hander Aroldis Chapman's hotel room late Tuesday night and tied up a woman inside.
Source: Cubs Eye Carlos Correa With No. 1 Pick
The Cubs will work out potential number No. 1 draft pick Carlos Correa at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.
Hafner Needs Knee Surgery, Out 4-6 Weeks
Travis Hafner will have surgery on his right knee on Thursday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Oswalt Planning Four Rehab Starts
Roy Oswalt has thrown bullpen sessions every other day for the past six weeks.
Returning To Form, Pujols Knew He'd Have Adjustment Period
Albert Pujols had a rough first month of the 2012 season, but he has started to hit in his first season as a member of the Angels.
Giants Have 'No Plans' For Bonds At This Time
The Giants have confirmed that Barry Bonds spoke to them about joining the franchise in some capacity, but that doesn't mean a role is imminent.
Mets May Not Offer Wright Deal During Season
Sandy Alderson would like to keep David Wright over the long-term, but that doesn't mean the team will make a contract offer during the season.
Perez Gesture Upsets Royals
Chris Perez angered Kansas City's Jarrod Dyson for a gesture he made after striking out the outfielder.
Rangers, Oswalt Reach Agreement On Deal
The Rangers have agreed to terms on a Minor League deal with Roy Oswalt.
Angels Place Weaver On Disabled List
It is only the second DL stint of Jered Weaver's career.
Halladay Will Be Out 6-8 Weeks
Roy Halladay was placed on the disabled list on Tuesday night.
Phillies Place Halladay On Disabled List
The Phillies have placed Roy Halladay on the disabled list because of a right latissimus dorsi strain.
RealGM Staff Report
Abreu Providing Leadership To Dodgers
Bobby Abreu has been filling the role of veteran leader for the Dodgers this spring.
Cubs Haven't Ruled Out Re-Signing Dempster
Ryan Dempster knows he could be traded in July as the Cubs look to the future.
Yankees Claim Ryota Igarashi
The Yankees have claimed right-hander Ryota Igarashi from the Blue Jays.
Matsui Set To Join Rays
Hideki Matsui will join the Rays before Tuesday night's game against the White Sox.
Texas Still Leads Hunt For Oswalt
Roy Oswalt has worked out for other teams, but Texas has long been believed to be his preferred destination.