MLB News Blog

The Padres revised their alcohol policy that will limit players’ consumption in the home clubhouse and on some team airplane trips. Under the new policy announced Saturday, alcohol will continue to be available in the Padres’ clubhouse at home, but will be limited. In addition, the team said alcohol will not be served during the [...]

The Arizona Diamondbacks activated reliever Juan Cruz from the 15-day disabled list and optioned Dustin Nippert to Triple-A Tucson. Also Friday, the Diamondbacks placed infielder Alberto Callaspo on the restricted list and purchased the contract of infielder Donnie Sadler from Triple-A Tucson. Callaspo was arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting his wife.
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Jason Giambi returned to the starting lineup for the first time in four games Saturday night, wearing flat-soled, sneaker-like shoes to better cushion the spur near his left heel. He batted fifth as the designated hitter against righty Miguel Batista, against whom Giambi is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
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NL MVP Ryan Howard was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left quadriceps strain after he was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game Saturday. The Philadelphia Phillies recalled catcher/first baseman Chris Coste from Triple-A Ottawa to take Howard’s roster spot. Howard is eligible to come off the disabled list [...]

For one game, Greg Dobbs eased the loss of Ryan Howard. Dobbs bailed out a decimated bullpen with a career day filling in for the injured NL MVP, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Chicago Cubs 11-7 on Saturday. Making his fifth start this season, Dobbs was 4-for-4, including a go-ahead two-run triple in the [...]

News: Tigers optioned RHP Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo.Impact: Lopez’s demotion after he picked up a save for throwing three innings in an 8-2 gme on Saturday. He goes to make room for Virgil Vasquez, who will start Sunday against the Twins. …[more]
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The throw came zipping across the diamond, hitting the turf at the edge of the dirt and bouncing straight at first baseman Justin Morneau’s face.
On another frustrating day at the ballpark, that was the only moment when the Twins were on target.
The surging Detroit Tigers used two RBIs each by Magglio Ordonez and Craig Monroe [...]

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was out of the starting lineup Saturday night in Pittsburgh after injuring both wrists and his left quadriceps during a collision with the Pirates’ Jose Bautista the night before. Manager Bobby Cox said Jones might sit out Sunday’s game as well. “I gave him the day off,” Cox said.
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The Detroit Tigers optioned right-handed reliever Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo after the game at Minnesota on Saturday, making room for Virgil Vasquez, who is scheduled to start Sunday. The Tigers planned to officially recall Vasquez from Toledo before the game Sunday. He is filling in for right-hander Jeremy Bonderman, who has a cut on [...]

The Kansas City Royals activated right-hander Scott Elarton from the 15-day disabled list and sent him to the mound Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox, his first start since July 16.
Elarton, the Royals’ opening day starter in 2006, had shoulder surgery Aug. 1. He spent a month this season making minor league rehab starts.
In [...]