MLB Player News

In need of a trade partner? Pirates might be your team
It's that time of the year. Movers and shakers are preparing for the July 31 trade deadline. Well, that list should include the Pirates, who might move some valuable commodities, Danny Knobler says.

Perez foils Phillies as Mets seize NL East lead
Carlos Delgado hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning and Oliver Perez stifled the Philadelphia Phillies again, helping the New York Mets earn a 3-1 win Thursday that gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East.

New Rules: Welcoming in four, saying goodbye to one
Four new rules -- HOF voting by writers, contract revisions, playoff starts and format -- enter. But one rule (can throwback jerseys make a comeback?) will be removed from the New Rules of Baseball.

Cuban among three in next round of Cubs bidding
Tribune Co. is inviting at least three potential buyers who each submitted bids for the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field near or above $1 billion to participate in a second round of proposals, according to a person involved in the process.

Cubs place closer Wood on DL
The Cubs placed closer Kerry Wood on the disabled list Thursday for the 12th time in his 10-year career because of a blister on his pitching hand. Chicago is considering a list of prospects to take Wood's spot, among the candidates is former Notre Dame football star Jeff Samardzija.

Cubs hold off Marlins, stay atop NL Central
Carlos Zambrano pitched seven solid innings and the Chicago Cubs snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Florida Marlins with a 6-3 victory Thursday night.

Braun's 9th-inning, 2-run blast caps Brewers' sweep
Ryan Braun had four hits for a second straight game, including a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Thursday night.

Yanks to talk Bonds, 'everything' at meetings
Barry Bonds in pinstripes? If nothing else, the New York Yankees plan to talk about it.

Fan injured, 17 ejected in Ohio in minor league brawl
Fifteen players and both managers were ejected -- and a fan was sent to the hospital -- following a 10-minute, benches-clearing brawl in a Class-A minor league game between affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

Standoff
A California League game between Modesto and Visalia was postponed Thursday night when a sheriff's deputy was stabbed during a nearby eviction that prompted a standoff.

Meche throws 7 scoreless, extends Rays' road woes
Gil Meche pitched seven scoreless innings after a shaky start and John Buck drove in two runs, helping the Kansas City Royals hold off Tampa Bay 4-2 Thursday night to extend the AL East-leading Rays' road losing streak to seven games.

Cain tosses four-hitter to help Giants complete sweep
Matt Cain pitched a four-hitter, Dave Roberts singled home a run in the eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants earned their first three-game home sweep of the season Thursday with a 1-0 win over the Washington Nationals.

Halladay, Jays finish off two-win day in Baltimore
Roy Halladay scattered seven hits over seven innings, leading Toronto over the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 Thursday after the Blue Jays won a game suspended one night earlier.

Briefs: Marlins activate righty Miller from 15-day DL
Thursday's MLB news briefs: The Florida Marlins activated right-hander Justin Miller from 15-day disabled list.