June 2012 - Baseball Wiretap

Clayton Kershaw Has Stiff Back
Clayton Kershaw missed his bullpen session on Wednesday because of back stiffness.

ESPN.com

Source: Oswalt May Wait And Return Midseason
Roy Oswalt is staying ready and would be willing to return during the season if nothing materializes before then.

ESPN.com

Tommy Hanson Back In Camp
Tommy Hanson is back in camp after suffering a concussion from a car wreck.

ESPN.com

Pirates President Frank Coonelly Faces DUI Charges
Pirates president Frank Coonelly is facing four DUI charges after an incident on December 22.

ESPN.com

Ryan Eager To Watch Darvish
Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan is eager to watch Yu Darvish this spring.

ESPN.com

Jenks Had Life-Threatening Back Issue
Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks was terrified for his life last December when he noticed an incision on his back was leaking fluid.

ESPN.com

A's McCarthy, Wife On Magazine Cover
A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy and his wife, Amanda, are on the cover of the current issue of ESPN The Magazine.

San Jose Mercury News

Isringhausen Signs Minor League Deal With Angels
The Angels and reliever Jason Isringhausen have agreed to terms on a minor league deal.

ESPN.com

Red Sox May Not Have Captain In 2012
If Jason Varitek doesn't return to the team, the Red Sox will likely play the 2012 season without a captain.

MLB.com

Renteria Mulling Options, Including Retirement
The infielder will not yet file retirement papers and remains open to playing again.

MLB.com

Yankees Add Aardsma To Bullpen
The Yankees have signed David Aardsma, who will begin the 2012 season on the disabled list following Tommy John surgery.

MLB.com

Phillips Figured He'd Have Extension By Now
Brandon Phillips showed up for Spring Training on Wednesday without a contract extension.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Ronald Belisario Admits Cocaine Use
Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario missed all of last season because of visa problems in his native Venezuela.

Tony Jackson/ESPN.com

Indians Part Ways With Garland
The right-hander signed a Minor League deal with Cleveland just prior to Spring Training pending a physical.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mets Among Six Teams Kazmir Is Considering
Scott Kazmir, who worked out for Major League teams this month, is considering six teams.

Buster Olney/ESPN.com (via Twitter)

Howard Takes BP For First Time Since Achilles Injury
Ryan Howard took batting practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering an Achilles injury in his final at bat of the 2011 season.

Jayson Stark/ESPN.com

Pujols Objects To 'El Hombre' Billboards In L.A.
The Angels have placed 20 billboards around Southern California with Albert Pujols alongside the Spanish words "El Hombre."

Mark Saxon/ESPN.com

Abreu Hasn't Told Angels Of His Trade Ultimatum
Jerry Dipoto spoke to Bobby Abreu recently and no trade demand was issued.

MLB.com

Red Sox Receive Carpenter As Compensation For Epstein
The Cubs will send reliever Chris Carpenter to the Red Sox as compensation for letting Theo Epstein out of his contract.

Boston Globe

O'Malley Reportedly Out As Bidder For Dodgers
Peter O'Malley has withdrawn his bid to buy the Dodgers, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Los Angeles Times

Rangers, Lewis Had 'Small, Limited' Talks About Extension
Colby Lewis, who is expected to be the Opening Day starter for the Rangers, is without a contract past this season.

MLB.com

Victorino Headed For Free Agency, Wants To Re-Sign With Phillies
Shane Victorino said he doesn't "plan on going anywhere else."

MLBlogs.com

Hanley Takes Grounders At Third, 'Never Said' He Wouldn't Move
As recently as last week, new manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn't think Hanley Ramirez had embraced the move.

Associated Press

La Russa In Talks For Job With MLB
Tony La Russa is in camp with the Tigers shadowing general manager Dave Dombrowski.

Buster Olney/ESPN The Magazine

A's Avoid Using Term 'Rebuilding' When Discussing Offseason
The Athletics traded three All-Star pitchers this offseason.

Associated Press

Ichiro Will Hit Third For Mariners
After 11 seasons as a premiere leadoff hitter, Ichiro Suzuki will begin the 2012 season as Seattle's No. 3 hitter.

MLB.com

Hamels Sounds Like He Wants To Stick With Phillies
Cole Hamels will be a free agent after the 2012 season.

Yahoo! Sports

Mets May Have Santana On Opening Day
Johan Santana hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since September 2010.

Associated Press

Chapman Prepares For Role As Starter
Aroldis Chapman is preparing to start for the Reds this season after appearing as a reliever 69 times over the last two seasons.

Associated Press

Rule Tweaked To Prevent Stalling For Relievers
Major League Baseball has tweaked a loophole that some might now call the Joe Maddon Rule.

Associated Press