Finally!  There's good news in Los Angeles for the Dodgers.  Manager Joe Torre announced that both Nomar Garciaparra and Andruw Jones will be activated for their weekend series against San Francisco.  All the injury news was not good for the Dodgers -- pitcher Brad Penny will miss his start on Saturday.

Torre's Dodgers are getting back Garciaparra and Jones earlier than expected which could be a huge boost for a team somehow still in contention in the NL West where no team had a winning record heading into Thursday's action.  Both players are expected to be in the starting lineup on Friday with Jones in center field and Garciaparra at shortstop.  Their activation will send two players to the Minors with Jason Repko, Angel Berroa, Andy LaRoche and Mark Sweeney the leading candidates for demotion.

Penny, on the other hand, will not return for the weekend series and instead will be replaced in the rotation by Chan Ho Park.  Park is 4-2 with one save and a 2.45 ERA in 23 games this season and 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three spot starts.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS TEAM PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

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Reed Johnson returned to action for the Cubs today after missing the minimum amount of time on the 15-day disabled list.  To make room for Johnson, outfielder Eric Patterson was sent down to Triple-A Iowa.

Johnson should return to his lefty-righty platoon with Jim Edmonds and the Cubs hope he will pick up where he left off -- Johnson hit .321 in his last 10 games before landing on the DL.

Patterson was 7-for-24 with one home run and five RBI in the eight games played while Johnson was on the mend.  The Cubs were 6-8 without Johnson available.

The Cubs also will have Aramis Ramirez available after he missed three games due to family issues back in the Dominican Republic.

JOHNSON'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

PATTERSON'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

RAMIREZ'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

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The Red Sox activated reliever Mike Timlin for their four-game series with the New York Yankees.  Reliever Chris Smith was sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket to clear a roster spot for the veteran.

Timlin returns from left knee tendinitis that shelved him on June 17 and was impressive in three rehab outings.  Through three outings at Pawtucket, Timlin did not allow a hit.  This season, he is 3-3 with a 7.06 ERA in 24 appearances. 

Smith could not avoid demotion despite pitching well in three outings.  He went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.

TIMLIN'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

SMITH'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

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The Houston Astros continued their trend of bad news when they announced ace Roy Oswalt would be skipped in the rotation on Saturday due to his injured hip and will be replaced by Chris Sampson.

Oswalt's start was re-scheduled for Tuesday in Pittsburgh to give him an additional three days to rest his injury.  Oswalt will still get in two starts prior to the All-Star break should his hip not give him any additional problems.  The Astros need Oswalt to bounce back -- he is 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA and in jeopardy of suffering the first losing season of his eight-year Major League career.

Sampson started the season in the rotation but struggled through 10 starts posting a 3-3 record with a 6.04 ERA.  Since then, Sampson moved to the bullpen where he made 16 appearances with a 2.16 ERA without a decision.

OSWALT'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

SAMPSON'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

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The Mets will be without second baseman Luis Castillo for at least two weeks after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip flexor.  New York promoted infielder Argenis Reyes from Triple-A New Orleans.  The move was not the only one for the Mets on Thursday -- they brought up outfielder Chris Aguila from New Orleans and optioned reliever Carlos Muniz back down to Triple-A.

Castillo had been playing through injury with a strained quad and sore knees but the strained quad injury developed into what is now being classified as a strained left hip flexor.  In 68 games, Castillo hit .261 with three home runs and 26 RBI.

At New Orleans, Reyes hit .290 with 38 runs scored and 13 steals in 79 games.  It is his first stint on a Major League roster.  Aguila heads to the Mets for the second time this season.  In his first stop, he went 1-for-6 in three games.

Muniz was sent down after giving up a walk-off homer to Troy Glaus in their 8-7 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday night.

CASTILLO'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

MUNIZ'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

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Fresh off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays moved shortstop Jason Bartlett to the 15-day disabled list.  Shortstop Ben Zobrist was recalled from Triple-A Durham.  The Rays also called up Reid Brignac and sent down pitcher Mitch Talbot on Thursday.

The owners of the best record in baseball lost Bartlett after he injured himself stealing third in a key situation in their six-run seventh inning of their 7-6 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday night.  Bartlett stayed in the game and later in the inning had a two-run single as the Rays batted around.

Bartlett was officially diagnosed with a right knee sprain and will miss at least two weeks. 

Zobrist is making his third trip to the Rays roster this season.  He hit .292 with two home runs in nine games during the previous two stops.  Brignac -- also a shortstop -- is making his first trip to the Majors.  With Durham, Brignac hit .265 with seven home runs and 38 RBI in 78 games.

BARTLETT'S PLAYER PAGE ON BASEBALL DIGEST DAILY

 

BDD Live returns for another great show tonight! Join host  Eric SanInocencio at 8:00 PM ET as we bring you a great lineup of guests.

We kick things off with the Senior Director of Communications and Education for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Brad Horn. Brad will talk with us about the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium and what the final year of the historic landmark means to baseball and the Hall of Fame.

Next, Ben Badler from Baseball America joins us to discuss Oakland's signing of Michael Inoa and the booming international free agent market. Ben will catch us up on all the latest signings, deals, and bonuses from around the world.

And finally , Eric Seidman from Statistically Speaking fills us in on his great new book, Bridging the Statistical Gap. Eric's work is a great addition to any Sabermetric library!

So join us on this eve of Independence Day as we celebrate baseball and America right here at BDD! Just cliek on the link below at 8:00 PM ET to listen in or for information on how to call in to the show!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballdigestdaily

To download podcasts via iTunes, do the following. 1) Open iTunes. 2) Click on the Advanced menu at the top. 3) Then click on Subscribe to Podcast. 4) Enter this url http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballdigestdaily/feed and click ok.

...If you think the dust is going to settle any time soon in Houston, you're sadly mistaken. According to Edward Klump of Bloomberg.com, Ed Wade is suffering some backlash from the Shawn Chacon incident - mainly in the way Mr. Wade handled the situation, this according to fans of the Astros and people around baseball.

...Former Seattle Mariners Second Baseman and TV Analyst Harold Reynolds is returning to National TV after being fired from ESPN two years ago. He will be a in-studio analyst for TBS. His first appearance will be this Sunday during the All-Star Selection show and then will work some regular season games. TBS is currently trying to work out an agreement with Reynolds for the Post Season on TBS.

...According to Buster Olney at ESPN, the Rays and Red Sox have no interest in trying to complete a trade with the Cleveland Indians for Southpaw C.C. Sabathia.

...Atlanta Braves First Baseman Mark Teixeira would prefer not to be traded, as he feels he has some unfinished business in Atlanta.

"I feel like I have some unfinished business here with the Braves," Teixeira said. "I was brought here during a pennant race last year. (A playoff appearance) didn't happen last year and I'm hoping that it does this year."

...Kansas City Royals Second Baseman Mark Grudzielanek would like to play for two or three more years, this according to the Kansas City Star.

I am convinced that Bud Selig ran the Montreal Expos better than J.P. Ricciardi is running the Blue Jays. Yup...after a burst of optimistic posts, cruel reality insists on intruding again.

Again, the Jays lost 2-of-3 to the Mariners; the Jays have scored two or fewer runs in four of their last six and are batting .181 with runners in scoring position over the last eight games. In six games against Seattle, the Jays have held them to an average of less than three runs per game and lost four times.

The Jays bats are reverting to form and the Jays have to look to a general manager who thinks the offense is sufficient to compete. I’m sure he adds under his breath “for last place.” I guess he wanted the Red Sox GM job and thought he could serve Boston’s interests best by staying in Toronto.  

Once again, I am convinced that Bud Selig ran the Montreal Expos better than J.P. Ricciardi is running the Blue Jays.  

The Jays are closing in on the century mark in hitting into double plays and have a ten twin-killing cushion over the Boston Red Sox--the number two team in MLB in make-an-out, take-a-friend philosophy. I’m surprised it was Ed Wade that was thrown to the ground--I’m sure among most of the pitching staff, it’s their number two fantasy (number one involving males).  

As of this writing whining, the Jays are eighth in the AL or worse (and below league average) in six lineup spots: first and second base, all three outfield spots and DH. Obviously, little can be done as Aaron Hill is on the DL, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios ain’t going anywhere and Adam Lind will address the problem in left (.333/.367/.704; 3 HR 10 RBI since his call-up … 27 AB).

What about DH?

Look, I love Matt Stairs as much as the next guy however he hits righties .281/.361/.448 which is just 50 OPS points above league average--and that’s for his best platoon split and is batting just .214/.322/.320 overall since mid-May. He’s again making good contact and getting on base but has just six extra base hits since the beginning of June.

Bottom line--the Jays have an opening for a big bat.

I’m not holding my breath that J.P. Ricciardi will do much about it--perhaps a little sinus excavation, mixed with some navel gazing, digitally-aided gluteal itch-relief while mulling whether to go to a podiatrist or a orthodontist to alleviate the embarrassment of his next public statement.    

Perhaps he’ll be thinking about a career change--certainly Ringling Bros can find use for a contortionist act where the performer manages to stick his foot in his mouth while suffering from inverse cranial-rectal syndrome.

(sigh)

After all, most teams need southpaw relievers and the Jays have more lefties than the NDP (a Canadian socialist party for you Yanks) and J.P. cannot parlay that into … anything?

I’m trying really hard not to give up on this season; the Phillies bats are booming again (ah the sound of maple hitting hide with authority--remember when we used to hear that up here?) and I wonder if I should make that my main focus and watch Jays games solely to see if Shaun Marcum and Roy Halladay can contend for the Cy Young, or watch Adam Lind go from prospect to major league slugger or even see if Brandon League can harness his electric arm and become Duane Ward redux. However, I would measure wins and losses by their progress rather than the numbers on the score board and prayerfully count down to what I hope is the end of J.P. Ricciardi’s reign of error and look forward to the day when he has to listen to my order because dammit--I want my fries supersized!

I’m so close to bailing and I know I’m not the only one. I’m sure the front office is worried about ticket sales in the second half and if I might offer a suggestion--how about winning some ballgames? You know, make a few calls, pick up a big bat, clear the outfield wall a few times with runners on board and watch the profits roll in!

If J.P. cannot do that then find someone who can--I vote for the latter idea. He’s had seven years and he’s the weakest link.

Oh … and could you supersize my Coke while you’re at it? Thanks much big guy--nice to see you finally found something you’re good at.

Hey! These fries are limp!

Why am I not surprised?

Best Regards

John

Last night was the first time in MLB history that two players hit two homers in a single game with each also hitting a walkoff homer.  Troy Glaus and  A.J. Pierzynski did it.

The Rays sweep of the Red Sox was the first time in the modern era that a team that finished dead last swept the defending world champions two times in a season.

Alex Rodriguez needs 1 RBI to reach 1551 39th all time, passing Fred McGriff.

- Ricky Nolasco allowed just 3 hits while striking out 8 over 7 innings, and Alfredo Amezaga hit a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to give Florida the lead for good as the Marlins beat the Nationals, 4-2.
- Howie Kendrick singled, doubled, and scored twice, and Juan Rivera hit a home run and drove in 3 runs as Angels beat the A's, 7-4.
- Daniel Cabrera pitched a complete game 7-hitter, and Ramon Hernandez went 3-for-4 to lead the offense as the Orioles dropped the Royals, 5-2. David DeJesus had 3 hits and a home run for Kansas City.
- B.J. Upton walked twice, stole 2 bases, and scored twice, Carl Crawford went 3-for-4, and Evan Longoria had 3 hits and 3 RBI as the Rays stormed back to score 6 runs in the 7th inning on the way to a 7-6 win over the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia doubled twice, tripled, homered, drove in 2 runs and scored 3 runs for Boston.
- Hiroki Kuroda threw 7 scoreless innings, and Andre Ethier singled, doubled, and homered to lead the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory over the Astros. Jeff Kent added 2 doubled and 2 RBI for Los Angeles.
- Rick Ankiel homered, drove in 2 runs, and scored 2 runs, Chris Duncan ripped a pinch-hit 2-run shot to tie the game in the 8th inning, and Troy Glaus hit his second home run of the evening in the bottom of the 9th as the Cardinals walked-off with a dramatic 8-7 win against the Mets. Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Damion Easley all had 3 hits apiece for New York.
- Rickie Weeks hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the 8th inning, and Mike Cameron singled in the go-ahead run in the 9th inning as the Brewers rallied to edge the Diamondbacks, 4-3. Orlando Hudson collected 4 hits for Arizona.
- Jim Edmonds reached base 4 times, homered, scored 2 runs, and drove in 2 runs, and Mike Fontenot hit a solo home run in the top of the 8th inning that proved to be the difference in the game as the Cubs outlasted the Giants, 6-5. Ryan Dempster struck out 7 while allowing 2 runs over 6 innings for Chicago. Ray Durham went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and 3 RBI for San Francisco.
- Nick Blackburn pitched 3-hit ball over 7 shutout innings, Joe Mauer had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Delmon Young singled, doubled twice and drove in a run as the Twins dominated the Tigers, 7-0.
- Jimmy Rollins went 3-for-4, Pat Burrell hit a solo homer, and Ryan Howard blasted a 3-run shot to lead the Phillies past the Braves, 7-3.
- Jason Giambi doubled, homered, and drove in 6 runs, and Alex Rodriguez reached base 4 times, homered, drove in 3 runs and scored 4 more as the Yankees and their offense pummeled the Rangers, 18-7. Milton Bradley and Chris Davis hit home runs for Texas while Johnny Damon added 3 hits, 3 runs, and 2 RBI for New York.
- Xavier Nady hit 2 home runs and collected 3 RBI, and Ryan Doumit contributed 2 hits and 3 runs as the Pirates blew by the Reds, 9-5. Jay Bruce hit 2 home runs and knocked in 4 for Cincinnati.
- Brian Anderson doubled and drove in 2 runs, and A.J. Pierzynski hit a solo home run in the 1st inning and another in the last inning (10th) to send the White Sox to their 7th straight victory, a 6-5 walk-off win over the Indians. Grady Sizemore went 3-for-4 with 2 solo home runs and 4 runs scored for Cleveland. Sizemore's 21 homers leads the American League.
- Garrett Atkins went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and 4 RBI, and Ubaldo Jimenez gave up just one run in 6 1/3 strong innings as the Rockies cruised past the Padres, 8-1.
- Ichiro Suzuki went 3-for-3 and crossed home plate twice, and Miguel Cairo laced 2 doubles and drove in 3 runs to help the Mariners double up the Blue Jays, 4-2.

Wednesday's Scoreboard

American League

National League

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Detroit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 Minnesota « 0 0 5 0 1 1 0 0 X 7 14 1 W:N.Blackburn(7-4) L:E.Bonine(2-1) HR: DET- None MIN- None   Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Oakland 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 4 8 0 LA Angels « 1 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 X 7 8 2 W:J.Saunders(12-4) L:K.Foulke(0-3) S:F.Rodriguez (34) HR: OAK- None ANA- J.Rivera (1), E.Aybar (3)   Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Texas 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 7 9 3 NY Yankees « 0 1 4 0 1 0 9 3 X 18 16 0 W:E.Ramirez(2-0) L:W.Madrigal(0-1) HR: TEX- M.Bradley (17), C.Davis (3) NYY- J.Giambi (18), A.Rodriguez (17)   Final 1 2 3