RealGM Baseball Wiretap

Indians Rout Red Sox In Francona's Return To Fenway

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:06:30 EDT

Drew Stubbs and Mark Reynolds drove in three runs each and Cleveland had 16 hits in the Indians' 12-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in manager Terry Francona's return to Fenway Park on Thursday night, according to an ESPN.com report.

Teixeira Close To Playing In Minors

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:03:47 EDT

Injured Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira soon could start playing in minor league games while working his way back to the majors, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

Teixeira has been out since injuring his right wrist in early March while with the U.S. team preparing for the World Baseball Class.

Rangers Release Lowe, Sign Teahen

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:52 EDT

The Rangers have placed veteran right-hander Derek Lowe on unconditional release waivers and signed utility man Mark Teahen to a minor league deal, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

Phillies Place Utley On DL With Oblique Strain

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:44:38 EDT

The Phillies have placed five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday.

Utley could miss up to four weeks.

Mattingly Not Critical Of Dodgers' Front Office

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:37:19 EDT

When Dodgers manager Don Mattingly abruptly criticized the lack of fight and competitiveness on his team's "All-Star" roster Wednesday morning, he wasn't aiming that critique at the front office, despite assumptions to the contrary, sources say.

In fact, the manager and GM Ned Colletti were in agreement on those sentiments, sources told ESPN. And multiple sources say Mattingly is in no imminent danger of being fired.

Kasten Understands Mattingly's Critical Comments

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:41:18 EDT

Dodgers president Stan Kasten said he was "absolutely" understanding of manager Don Mattingly's critical comments about the team before Wednesday's game in Milwaukee and that he had no problem with them.

"I didn't know the specifics of what he was going to say -- I was out of town on the East Coast in meetings -- and I don't know what he's going to say every day, but I'm very aware of Don's thoughts on the team," Kasten told ESPN LosAngeles. "It was not an issue for me at all. [GM] Ned [Colletti] hasn't expressed any issue to me."

Jays Promote Sean Nolin To Start Against O's

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:43:58 EDT

The Blue Jays are promoting left-hander Sean Nolin to make his major league debut Friday night against the Orioles.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2010, Nolin went 10-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 20 games at two minor league levels last season, including a 9-0 mark at Class A Dunedin. 

Blue Jays' Happ Hopes To Return Next Month

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:37:07 EDT

Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ said a package containing a knee brace didn't arrive Thursday as hoped, so Friday will be the earliest he'll try throwing outdoors, according to an ESPN.com report.

Happ said he was told not to increase his throwing activity without the new knee brace.

The former Phillies and Astros pitcher said doctors gave him good reports on the healing of his head injuries. He hopes to return to action next month.

M's Send Jesus Montero To Triple-A Tacoma

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:40:48 EDT

The Mariners sent slumping catcher Jesus Montero to the minor leagues Thursday, a year after acquiring him in trade full of potential that hasn't panned out for either side.

The Mariners optioned Montero to Triple-A Tacoma. He has 72 hours to join the club, according to an ESPN.com report.

Danks Returns To The Mound Friday

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:58:41 EDT

The White Sox announced Wednesday night that starting pitcher John Danks will come off the disabled list and make his first start in more than a year.

Danks, who last pitched in May 2012, had first tried to rehabilitate the shoulder injury before opting for surgery in August to repair his rotator cuff and biceps. He will take the mound Friday at home against the Marlins.

Vendor Fired At Minute Maid Park

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:07:55 EDT

A vendor at Houston's Minute Maid Park has been fired after a fan filmed him taking a tray of snow cones into a stadium bathroom and putting it on the floor of the stall while using the facilities.

The fan shared the video with the local NBC affiliate, which aired a report Wednesday night.

Francona Returns To Fenway Park

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:32:17 EDT

For the first time as an opposing manager, Terry Francona will walk into Fenway Park to face the Red Sox, the team he led to two World Series titles during eight seasons.

Francona said he hasn't given much thought to his homecoming, but he's certain it will conjure up some memories.

Utley To Have MRI On Sore Ribcage

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:03:06 EDT

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is scheduled for an MRI Thursday on his sore ribcage, according to an ESPN.com report.

Utley was scratched from the lineup for Philadelphia's win against the Marlins on Tuesday night after feeling discomfort in his ribcage during batting practice. He was not in the lineup for Wednesday night's series finale.

Utley hopes to avoid a trip to the disabled list.

Mattingly Critical Of Dodgers' Grit, Benches Ethier

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:57:34 EDT

Before Wednesday's game, Dodgers' manager Don Mattingly expressed his unhappiness with the team and benched right fielder Andre Ethier.

Mattingly, in the third and final year of his contract, discussed his club's lack of mental toughness and said he wanted a balanced team that has grit and fight, according to an ESPN.com report.

Jose Canseco Accused Of Sexual Assault

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:51:18 EDT

Jose Canseco has been accused of sexual assault in Las Vegas, in an investigation that the former baseball slugger made public with postings on a social media website claiming that a woman falsely accused him of rape, according to an ESPN.com report on Wednesday.

Orioles Acquire Josh Horton From A's

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:54:14 EDT

The Orioles have acquired Josh Horton from the Athletics for cash or a player to be named later.

Horton, a minor league infielder, is hitting .224/.246/.373 this season at Triple-A.

Derek Lowe Clears Waivers

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:26:27 EDT

After being designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier this week, Derek Lowe has cleared waivers.

Lowe must now decide whether to accept a Triple-A assignment or become a free agent

Diamondbacks Shut Down Adam Eaton

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:24:14 EDT

The Diamondbacks have shut down Adam Eaton's rehabilitation stint in the minors.

Eaton felt soreness in his injured left elbow.

The outfielder has been on the disabled list all season after spraining his elbow in spring training.

Adam Dunn To Appear In McConaughey Movie

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:19:39 EDT

Adam Dunn has made the final cut of a film with Oscar buzz that is scheduled to hit movie screens this fall.

"The Dallas Buyers Club," starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto and Steve Zahn, was sold for distribution by the Truth Entertainment production company to Focus Features last month.

Dunn's close friend Joe Newcomb is a co-founder of Texas-based Truth Entertainment, while the slugger is a silent partner in the venture.

Jaime Garcia To Have Shoulder Surgery

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:15:32 EDT

Jaime Garcia will require season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, according to numerous reports.

The Cardinals placed him on the disabled list Saturday with what was initially called a shoulder strain.

Garcia suffered a similar injury last season but did not have surgery, opting instead for offseason rehab and strengthening.

Teammate Questions Harper's Outfield Positioning

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:12:00 EDT

Rafael Soriano has questioned Bryce Harper's defensive positioning, saying that the right fielder should have been in a better position to make a game-saving catch against the Giants on Tuesday.

Soriano allowed a game-tying RBI triple to Gregor Blanco, who hit a deep line drive over the head of a leaping Harper.

Just over a week removed from a scary collision with the outfield wall, Harper appeared to flinch as the ball sailed over his head and bounced off the warning track. Soriano did not fault Harper's effort on the play, but told USA Today that Harper should have been in better position.

"With two outs and the tying run at first, you have to play the outfield so the ball doesn't go over your head," Soriano said. "It may not have been a catchable ball. But if we're positioned the right way, there might have been a different outcome.

"With two outs, I could tell my 4-year-old son, 'You know where you need to play,' and he would have positioned himself better. It's not an excuse, and I'm not speaking badly about anybody, but I think that's how you play the game."

Red Sox Disappointed By Ellsbury's Production

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:39:35 EDT

The assumption was that Jacoby Ellsbury would return to MVP-caliber form this season with free agency approaching.

Ellsbury is batting .241 with a .303 on-base percentage. He has only one home run and it came on April 7 in Toronto.

He leads the league with 13 stolen bases and the majors with 208 plate appearances, but also has produced 147 outs, most in the majors.

"I wouldn't say he's pressing," John Farrell said. "How do you differentiate pressing and frustrated? Because it feels like he's gotten pitches that he hasn't squared up. He's just missed them, so there's a little frustration. I wouldn't say he's pressing to the point of something's ticking on him, time is ticking. No. He's a good player, and we've got to get him back to that level."

Lee Taking Possible Trade Rumors In Stride

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:11:23 EDT

Cliff Lee "hopes" the Phillies turn it around, but he is aware that he'll likely hear trade rumors if the club doesn't surge up the standings by midseason.

Lee has been dealt before and has a list of nine approved destinations.

"I definitely want to win. I want to be on a winning team," Lee said. "That should be what it's all about."

A Phillies source suggested that they had no real interest in trading Lee, who is having a typical season, with a 4-2 record and 2.83 ERA.

Source: Orioles To Promote Kevin Gausman

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:03:28 EDT

The Orioles will promote Kevin Gausman from Double-A Bowie to make his Major League debut on Thursday against the Blue Jays, according to a source.

Gausman was a first-round pick of Baltimore just last year.

He is 2-4 with a 3.11 ERA in eight starts for Bowie. Sources say the Orioles are comfortable with the move because of Gausman's ability to throw three pitches for strikes.

Reds Have Benefited From Easy Schedule

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:58:56 EDT

The Reds are 28-18 and 1.5 games behind the Cardinals in the National League Central entering Wednesday's action.

Cincinnati's record may be a bit misleading, however, as they haven't faced the toughest competition.

Their opponents through Tuesday night have a .484 winning percentage, ranking 24th in Major League Baseball.

Canseco Returns To Indy League As Player-Coach

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:54:08 EDT

For at least one series, Jose Canseco is returning to the United League as a player-coach.

Canseco will be with the Fort Worth Cats for their opening four-game homestand, which begins on Thursday night.

Fort Worth opens the season against Edinburg, which is managed by Ozzie Canseco, the Jose's identical twin brother.

Trout Becomes Youngest To Hit For Cycle In AL

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:49:11 EDT

Mike Trout hit for the cycle on Tuesday night, driving in five runs as the Angels defeated the Mariners 12-0.

Trout became the youngest American League player to hit for the cycle and third youngest in the major leagues since 1930.

"It was one of those nights," Trout said. "I didn't really think about it until about the eighth inning. And when I got on deck, I started feeling it a little bit. To be honest, I thought Josh [Hamilton] was going to hit for the cycle after his those first two at-bats. I wasn't thinking about myself."

Choo Isn't Concerned About Upcoming Free Agency

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:22:59 EDT

Shin-Soo Choo resisted offers to re-sign with the Indians and insists that he isn't thinking about his pending free agency as he enjoys his time with the Reds.

"A lot of people ask me: 'Do you want to stay in Cincinnati? What do you want?'" Choo said.

"That's too far away. We're not at the end of the season; we're not at the end of the first half yet. I know why I'm here. Cincinnati gave up two good players, and they want to win a World Series. That's what I want, too. I've never played in the playoffs. I have a good opportunity to play with a good team."

Altuve Leaves Boras; Rejoins Octagon

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:19:09 EDT

Jose Altuve's time with Scott Boras was short-lived.

Altuve recently left Boras and signed with Scott Pucino and Wil Polidor of Octagon, where he had been before. He was with Boras for about a year.

Mariners Sign Brazil's Daniel Missaki

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:15:31 EDT

The Mariners have signed Brazilian right-hander Daniel Missaki.

The 17-year-old pitched for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

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Fri, 24 May 2013 06:18:19 EDT

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