May 2014 - Baseball Wiretap

Ortiz Couldn't Watch Television During 2009 Slump
After three strikeouts on May 14, 2009, David Ortiz was hitting .208/.318/.300. He had endured a two-month slump after a significant wrist injury in 2008.

Alex Speier/WEEI

Is McCutchen Baseball's Best Bargain?
The Pirates took a slight gamble when they signed Andrew McCutchen to a six-year, $51.5 million contract before the 2012 season.

Ron Cook/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Yankees Unlikely To Trade For Top-Level Starter
Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that they may have to target guys like John Danks, Jason Hammel or Ian Kennedy.

Joel Sherman/New York Post

Sizemore Likely To Choose Team Soon
Grady Sizemore has received several inquires after he was released by the Red Sox last week.

Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe

Carlos Correa Suffers Leg Injury
Correa, the first overall pick by the Houston Astros in 2012, suffered an apparently serious injury to his leg during a minor league game Saturday night.

ESPN

Reed Quits Chewing Tobacco After Gwynn's Death
Addison Reed, who played for Gwynn at San Diego State, threw away seven cans of smokeless tobacco from his locker, and another two from his car, on Saturday.

ESPN

Cardinals Place Michael Wacha, Jaime Garcia On DL
Michael Wacha has a stress fracture in his pitching shoulder and Jamie Grcia has re-aggravated his left shoulder.

ESPN.com

GM Josh Byrnes Fired By Padres
The Padres fired general manager Josh Byrnes on Sunday.

ESPN.com

Bautista, Lawrie Leave Game With Injuries
Jose Bautista has been scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

ESPN.com

Alex Torres First To Wear Protective Cap
Padres reliever Alex Torres wore a padded cap during Saturday's night game against the Dodgers.

ESPN.com

Rafael Furcal Expected To Return To DL
Rafael Furcal left Saturday's game with a left calf and hamstring injury.

ESPN.com

Giants Call Up Joe Panik; Option Juan Perez To Fresno
The Giants have called up second baseman Joe Panik from Triple-A Fresno.

ESPN.com

Angels Place Raul Ibanez On Waivers
Raul Ibanez batted .157 with three homers and 21 RBIs for the Angels after signing a one-year deal for $2.75M during the off-season.

ESPN.com

Starling Marte Leaves Pirates For Personal Matter
Starling Marte is in the Dominican Republic to handle a personal matter and should return to the team in Tampa Bay on Monday night.

ESPN.com

Omar Vizquel Enters Indians' Hall Of Fame
Omar Vizquel was inducted into the Indians' Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

ESPN.com

Private Service For Gwynn Held At SDSU
A private memorial service was held for Tony Gwynn at San Diego State on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Nats Remain Unsure About Harper's Rehab
Matt Williams expects Bryce Harper to play seven rehab games.

ESPN.com

Carlos Gonzalez: Twin Daughters Doing Well
Carlos Gonzalez thinks it might be six more weeks before his identical twins can go home from the hospital.

ESPN.com

MLB Scolds Big Papi For Criticism
Joe Torres scolded David Ortiz for showing his displeasure with an official scorer this week.

ESPN.com

Marco Scutaro Still Hoping 'To Play Everyday'
Giants veteran second baseman Marco Scutaro hopes to play in a rookie ball game next week in Arizona.

San Jose Mercury News

Yasmani Tomas Defects From Cuba
The 23-year-old, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound right-handed power hitter plays the corner-outfield spots.

ESPN

A-Rod Drops Lawsuit Against Team Doctor
Alex Rodriguez has dropped his final of three lawsuits he filed last year during his counter-attack against baseball's investigation into his performance enhancing drug use.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

Mark Melancon To Close For Pirates
Melancon replaces Jason Grilli as Pittsburgh's closer.

Associated Press

Rival Clubs Calling Rangers About Healthy Players
The Rangers have lost more than 900 days to the disabled list this season.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Executive: Trade Market Looks Thin
With six weeks before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, one executive said the market of available players looks thin.

Jayson Stark/ESPN

Reds To Sign Alex Blandino
The 29th overall pick, Blandino will receive the full slot value of $1,788,000.

Jonathan Mayo/MLB

Gavin Floyd Suffers Elbow Fracture
Floyd will return to Atlanta on Friday to be examined by team doctors.

Associated Press

Clay Buchholz To Rejoin Red Sox
Clay Buchholz was set to rejoin the Red Sox after throwing six scoreless innings Thursday in his second rehabilitation start for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Eric Gilmore/ESPN

Bryce Harper Looks Good In Batting Practice
Bryce Harper looked good Thursday in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing ligament surgery on his left thumb last month.

Associated Press

Rangers Release Bard From Class A
The former Red Sox prospect was trying to come back from shoulder surgery, but he could never conquer his command issues.

T.R. Sullivan/MLB