June 2015 - Baseball Wiretap

Justin Upton Throws Helmet In Frustration, Hits Teammate In Head
Justin Upton threw his helmet in frustration on Saturday night, unintentionally injuring teammate Yonder Alonso in the process.

ESPN

David Denson Comes Out As First Gay Active Player
Brewers Minor Leaguer David Denson has become the first openly gay active player on a team affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Associated Press

Ichiro Ties Cobb With 4,191 Professional Hits
Ichiro Suzuki hit an opposite field single on Friday night, giving him 4,191 professional hits between his career in Japan and Major League Baseball.

Joe Frisaro/MLB

A.J. Pollock Open To Extension With Diamondbacks
A.J. Pollock, 27, will have over three years of service time by the end of the season, making him eligible for arbitration for the first time and putting him on pace to become a free agent after the 2

Nick Piecoro/Arizona Republic

Kemp's Cycle Is First In San Diego History
Matt Kemp hit a ninth-inning triple on Friday night to complete the first cycle in Padres history.

Associated Press

Brewers Looking For Young, Analytical GM
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports lists John Coppolella (Braves), Thad Levine (Rangers), Dave Forst (A's), Michael Girsch (Cardinals), Billy Eppler (Yankees) and Mike Hazen (Red Sox) and Jerry Dipoto as possi

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Royals Will Take Shot At Re-Signing Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon is expected to turn down his $12.5 million player option for 2016, but that doesn't mean he's done with the Royals.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Arizona Wants To Make Goldschmidt 'A Lifetime Diamondback'
Paul Goldschmidt is under contract for several more seasons, but the Diamondbacks will consider an even longer deal.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Farrell Diagnosed With Lymphoma, Lovullo To Manage Red Sox
John Farrell has been diagnosed with lymphoma and is stepping away from the Red Sox immediately.

ESPN

Bruce Rondon Takes Over As Closer For Tigers
Bruce Rondon will replace Alex Wilson, who has been suffering from shoulder fatigue and may move into an eighth-inning role.

ESPN

Red Sox Could Move Ramirez Or Sandoval To First Base
The front office has not approached either Hanley Ramirez or Pablo Sandoval about a possible move, but talks could take place in the offseason.

Rob Bradford/WEEI

Joba Chamberlain Opts Out Of Blue Jays Deal
The right-hander pitched 22 innings for the Tigers before being released earlier this season.

Ben Nicholson-Smith/Sportsnet

Jose Reyes Clears Waivers
"At least a couple of teams" have been "poking around" regarding Jose Reyes, but it remains to be seen if Colorado is motivated to move him.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Aramis Ramirez To Take Ground Balls At First Base
Aramis Ramirez has only fielded third base in his 18 Major League seasons, but that may change in what could be his final season.

Rob Biertempfel/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Several Clubs Have Made Offers For Utley
The Angels, Astros, Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees are also in the mix to acquire Utley, who reportedly wants some assurance of playing time before waiving his full no-trade clause.

Todd Zolecki/MLB

Jim Callis: Red Sox Have No. 1 Farm System
Boston has seven prospects among MLB.com's Top 100, including second baseman Yoan Moncada (No. 10) and third baseman Rafael Devers (No. 15).

Jim Callis/MLB

Utley Seeks Playing-Time Assurance To Waive No-Trade
Chase Utley has drawn trade interest after clearing revocable waivers, but possesses full no-trade protection by way of ten-and-five rights.

Buster Olney/ESPN

Giants May Be Willing To Pay Tax For Chase Utley
The Giants have crossed a new payroll boundary and might continue to add salary before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Bonds: 'Weight Lifted' With Federal Case Over
Barry Bonds says he feels a huge sense of relief since federal prosecutors dropped what was left of their criminal case against him last month after a nearly decade-long steroids prosecution.

Associated Press

Marlins Still Open To Moving Martin Prado
According to a report by Joe Frisaro, the Miami front office is still "certainly open" to moving the utility man.

Joe Frisaro/MLB

MLB Hires Firm To Help Prepare Front Office Candidates
Major League Baseball has hired a search firm to help prepare candidates for openings in baseball operations throughout the league, with special emphasis for minority and female candidates.

Associated Press

Twins Moving Trevor May In Rotation
With Phil Hughes headed to the disabled list with a back injury, the Twins are moving Trevor May into the starting rotation.

Associated Press

500 Home Runs Suddenly In Play For David Ortiz
David Ortiz, 39, hit a pair of home runs on Wednesday afternoon, the continuation of a surge that has put the 500-home run mark in play.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Yankees Calling Up No. 4 Prospect Bird
Greg Bird, a left-handed-hitting first baseman and designated hitter, was batting .301 with a .500 slugging percentage in 34 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Spencer Fordin/MLB

Braun's 250th HR One Shy Of Yount's Record
Ryan Braun hit the 250th home run of his career on Wednesday, one shy of Hall of Famer Robin Yount's Brewers record.

Adam McCalvy/MLB

Padres Will Try To Re-Sign Justin Upton
Justin Upton, who will turn 28 later this month, is hitting .253/.333/.446 with 20 home runs, 63 RBI and 18 stolen bases.

Barry M. Bloom/MLB

Hal Steinbrenner: AL East 'Still Ours To Lose'
Hal Steinbrenner remains confident that the Yankees will claim the American League East despite a recent slide that has allowed the Blue Jays to take a half-game lead in the division.

Associated Press

David Robertson Calls Mike Scioscia 'Bush League'
David Robertson called Mike Scioscia "bush league" for his handling of a replay review during Wednesday night's game between the White Sox and Angels.

Doug Padilla/ESPN

Kershaw Ties Koufax's Franchise Mark With Six 200-Strikeout Seasons
Clayton Kershaw tied his mentor Sandy Koufax's franchise record of six straight 200-strikeout seasons while tossing eight scoreless innings on Wednesday night.

Associated Press

Giants, Phillies Discussing Utley Trade
The two clubs are discussing prospects, which is an indication that talks are fairly advanced.

Jon Morosi/FOX Sports