The USA Today reported on its web site on Friday that Major League Baseball approached the World Umpires Association to discuss the implementation of instant replay on "boundary calls" including home run calls on August 1.  While there are a number of issues to iron out -- including whether replay calls would be initiated by an umpire's request or a manager's challenge -- two high-ranking officials in the WUA stated that baseball has begun negotiations to make replay a reality.

The other main issues under negotiation are what video feeds are to be used and whether calls would be made by an umpire stationed at the game or at a central command center similar to the NHL which uses a command center in their Toronto office.  According to one of the officials, baseball approached the umpires prior to the season and were considering a command center in their New York office.

 

 

...When all else fails, bring in the sacred cow. Maybe the addition of a giant cow doing the Tomahawk Chop will turn things around in Atlanta (anything right?). It seems that right next to the giant Coke bottle that shoots off fire works will be a giant cow that does the "Chop". The Cow is a giant size advertisement for Chick-fil-A restaurants. At this rate, maybe they should try to get the Bull from Durham Athletic Park - at least then if the players hit it, they get a free steak..

...Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell has been given an extension in his efforts to raise enough money to save part of old Tiger Stadium. Detroit Mayor Kawme Kilpatrick issued a new deadline of August 1st to raise the $15 million dollars need to save a piece of baseball history (a dugout to dugout corner).

...Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that recently released 1st Baseman Ben Broussard (just released by the Yankees) has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs on the heels of Alfonso Soriano breaking his hand and being out 6-8 weeks.

...Detroit Tigers back up backstop Vance Wilson is mulling over retiring. After getting elbow surgery last year, he recently tore his repaired UCL and if chooses to get surgery again - he would be out for at the least 12 months.

...Mets Blog is reporting that oft injured Moises Alou could be headed back to the DL. He was just recently activated from the Disabled List and then proceeded to strain his calf.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon stoked the flames of the Red Sox-Rays rivalry to ensure it stays lit until the two teams meet again in Tampa Bay on June 30.  Papelbon, on his weekly appearance on Comcast SportsNet, said the feud between the two teams is not over.

"In my opinion it is a bunch of bull what they did," said Papelbon.  "All I got to say is what comes around goes around.  Payback is a b----.  In my opinion, and the way I feel right now, this thing isn't all settled and done.  We still got to play them a few more times and I know when we got into Tropicana things will be a little different than when we went in there last time."

Papelbon's comments were in response to host Mike Felger's questions about the actions of Jonny Gomes and Carl Crawford who piled on during the brawl and took some shots at Boston's Coco Crisp who was at the center of the incident.

The Red Sox and Rays meet on June 30, July 1 and July 2 in Tampa Bay to provide some pre-Fourth of July fireworks.

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Veteran pitcher Brett Tomko is out in Kansas City.  The Royals designated Tomko for assignment on Thursday and recalled Carlos Rosa from Triple-A Omaha.

Tomko had a poor outing on Wednesday in Kansas City's 11-5 loss to the Rangers.  The Royals now have 10 days to trade, release, be placed on waivers or accept a Minor League assignment.  Most likely, Tomko's days as a member of the Royals are numbered.  At the time of his designation, Tomko was 2-7 with a 6.97 ERA in 16 games.

Tomko suffered a similar fate last season when he started with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was released and joined the San Diego Padres and pitched well for them down the stretch.  Tomko has played for seven teams in 12 seasons and is 95-99 with a 4.70 ERA in 362 games. 

Rosa will replace Tomko in the bullpen and has moved from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to Triple-A and now to the Major League.  The 23-year-old Rosa is in his sixth season with the Royals and will be making his Major League debut.  He was 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in five starts in Omaha.

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Pitcher Jeff Weaver had a clause in his contract with the Milwaukee Brewers that he could elect to be a free agent if he were not in the Major League by June 15.  On Thursday, the Brewers granted Weaver an unconditional release from Triple-A Nashville, a few days before the June 15 "out" clause.

The decision came a day after another poor start by Weaver.  After signing a Minor League contract with Milwaukee, Weaver joined Nashville and went 2-4 with a 6.22 ERA in nine starts.  Since being drafted in the first round of the 1998 draft by the Detroit Tigers, Weaver played every season from 1999 to 2007 in the Major League and appeared in at least 27 games before the 31-year-old righty was assigned to Nashville to start the 2008 season.  Weaver is 93-114 with a 4.72 ERA in nine seasons in the Majors.

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Heading into Interleague Play, the Twins cut their pitching staff from 13 to 12.  To do that, Minnesota offered reliever Juan Rincon an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester -- an assignment Rincon will most likely refuse making him a free agent.  To fill his roster spot, the Twins recalled infielder Brian Buscher from Rochester.

Rincon, 29, has been in the Twins organization for 11 seasons and was their setup man before struggling the past two seasons.  This season, the righty from Venezuela was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 24 appearances.

If Rincon elects to become a free agent, the Twins would have 10 days to trade or release him.

Buscher hit .329 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 53 games with Rochester.  He played with the Twins for 33 games in 2007 and went 2-for-8 in a call up earlier this season.