The Cleveland Indians today announced that RHP Jake Westbrook will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2008 season as he will undergo right elbow (ulnar collateral ligament) reconstruction surgery.  The surgery will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum and will take place in the next 7 to 14 days, with no exact date having been set yet.   An approximate timetable on his return is 12 months.

Pitcher Jeremy Bonderman had to be medically treated for a blood clot on Friday which required a trip to the Tigers' 15-day disabled list.  In more concerning news, it is expected that the medical procedures required to treat the blood clot will cause Bonderman to miss the rest of the 2008 season.

Bonderman underwent a thrombolysis to break up the clot on Friday night, and then an angioplasty this morning at the Detroit Medical Center according to the Detroit Free Press.  The team's head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Bonderman might require removal of his first rib to treat the blood clot.  If the removal of the rib is needed, Bonderman's season would be over.

In 12 starts this season, Bonderman is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA. 

...Seattle Mariners Manager John McLaren took time on Friday in Boston to apologize for his profanity filled tirade two days earlier at SafeCo Field in Seattle.

"I want to start this off in the proper way," the Mariners manager said. "I really used some inappropriate language, and I haven't had the nerve to call my mom yet. I apologize to the people who were offended."

I'll be honest, I'm sure he'll have another blow up sooner rather than later, though the Mariners did shut out the Red Sox last night 8-0 on the back of a great performance from King Felix.

...Not that it's too big of a surprise, but Barry Bonds pleaded not guilty to 15 federal charges of lying to a grand jury in regards to his performance enhancing drug use.

...Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that Chipper Jones prefers to stay with the Braves than go to the Free Agent Market following the season. Jones' contract is up at the end of this year. Chipper thinks he's at least got 3 or 4 more years left in him.

"My desire to stick around and play four, five, six more years is strong. I want to accomplish some things here, put up some numbers here as long as the Braves want me."

If he stays somewhat healthy, and notching his 400th homer earlier in the week - it is possible that he could join the 500 Home Run Club before he retires. And it would be pretty nice to see him spend his entire career in Atlanta.

...Speaking of the Atlanta Braves, they're looking forward to the return of lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez who is making his way back from Tommy John Surgery. The plan is for him to get in a couple rehab appearances with the Triple-A Richmond Braves before being activated sometime next week from the disabled list.