For the first time in more than a week, Brewers manager Ken Macha briefed reporters Sunday morning and had good news to relay on the Trevor Hoffman front. The new Milwaukee closer played catch for the first time since March 20, when he was shut down with a strained muscle along the right side of [...]
Cubs manager Lou Piniella annointed Kevin Gregg the closer on Sunday and said he’ll keep Carlos Marmol in his same setup role. Marmol was disappointed at the news. Marmol missed time in camp to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and was asked if that might have influenced the team’s decision. [...]
For the second time in three years, the United States was beaten at its own game on its own turf. Maybe baseball just ain’t America’s sport anymore. Daisuke Matsuzaka remained undefeated in the World Baseball Classic and defending champion Japan topped Team USA 9-4 in the semifinals at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night. “Can you [...]
It has been awhile since Ichiro Suzuki has had an opportunity to influence the outcome of an important game since the Seattle Mariners have been also-rans in recent years. The eight-time AL All-Star got his chance Monday night, and he came through. Suzuki hit a two-out, two-run single in the top of the 10th inning, [...]
The Brewers played their first Spring Training night game on Friday, leaving an open morning and afternoon for club officials to continue debating the Opening Day roster. With closer Trevor Hoffman still shut down with an oblique injury — “treading water” is how manager Ken Macha described it — and likely to open the regular [...]
Another good outing by Carlos Villanueva on Friday night — his second in as many days — has poised the 25-year-old to serve as Milwaukee’s closer while Trevor Hoffman recovers from a ribcage injury. Before the Brewers signed Hoffman, Villanueva was considered a top internal candidate to replace the retired Salomon Torres as Milwaukee’s closer. [...]
Who says big leaguers are baseball’s best players? South Korea has only one player in the majors compared to Venezuela’s 22, but the reigning Olympic champions will be playing in the World Baseball Classic finals after sending the Venezuelans home. Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo Shin-Soo hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run first, Yoon [...]
The Pirates continue to pop up as one of the handful of teams interested in free-agent starter Pedro Martinez, who is still looking to sign on with a team for the 2009 season. However, unless Martinez’s asking price diminishes significantly, there is no reason to start imagining Martinez pitching on the mound at PNC Park. [...]
The stories of Jon Lester’s perseverance have long since become the stuff of baseball legend, making this latest piece of news seem relatively mundane. But for Lester and the Red Sox, it is critical. The Sox officially announced on Sunday that they have agreed on a five-year contract with Lester worth a reported $30 million [...]
Seven World Baseball Classic dreams will continue when the second round shifts into full gear today, but one will come to an end. If it’s not The Netherlands finally getting pinched and waking up after a giddy March dream, then we’re looking at nothing short of a nightmare for Team USA. The first second-round elimination [...]
