Tampa Bay Rays Wiretap

Alex Sanchez Claimed Off Waivers By Giants

Outfielder Alex Sanchez was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Sanchez, the first player suspended for failing a test under major league baseball's new steroids policy, was designated for assignment by the Devil Rays on June 13. He is expected to add depth to the Giants' bench and gives the club some much-needed speed, a talented bunter and left-handed bat.

San Francisco manager Felipe Alou said he isn't worried about Sanchez's positive drug test.

"It doesn't concern me, because he wasn't the last," Alou said. "He has plenty of company. The fact that he's clean now puts him in big company, too. ... It's not like he murdered somebody or stole Mona Lisa."

Sanchez is scheduled to join his new team Friday in Oakland when the club begins a three-game interleague series against the Athletics.

"We saw a guy out there available who can hit and run," Alou said. "He has very good tools. ... We're giving a guy a chance to play baseball who has been good at times."

Via ESPN

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Yankees Score 13 Runs In The 8th Inning

The Yankees broke loose for 13 runs in the eighth behind Bernie Williams and Gary Sheffield, overcoming an early eight-run deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 20-11 Tuesday night.

"If there's a turning point in the season, this should be it," said Williams, who didn't take batting practice because of his sore shoulders. "This is incredible, especially this late in the game. I've never seen anything like this."

And with good reason: The 17-run turnaround matched the largest victory after trailing by eight runs in major league history. The Devil Rays led the Cleveland Indians 10-2 before losing 20-11 on May 5, 1999.

Williams put the Yankees ahead with a bases-loaded triple in the eighth, and Sheffield had a pair of three-run homers. Derek Jeter tied a career high with five hits and scored a career-best five runs.

Via ESPN

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Baldelli Might Need Tommy John Surgery

Rocco Baldelli might need Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

According to the Tampa Tribune, the Devil Rays center fielder, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the offseason, injured his elbow while working out on the field at the Raymond Naimoli complex this week.

Baldelli told the Tribune the injury occurred on a throw while taking infield during a recent extended Spring Training game.

Baldelli had been close to beginning a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Now he will fly to Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, where Rays team physician James Andrews will examine the elbow to determine the extent of the injury.

"He's had a little bit of a setback," Rays manager Lou Piniella said. "We'll let you know [more] in a couple of days."

Via MLB.com

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