Jimmy Rollins Returns to Phils Lineup From Bench

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has wiped the slate clean -- at least for now -- and restored benched leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins to his rightful spot at the top of the batting order. Rollins had been told to take a seat in the dugout Thursday after being tardy.

"Jimmy was late getting to the yard," Manuel was quoted as saying in The New York Post. "I called him in and talked to him. That's all I got to say. It's an in-house thing between him and I."

It's the second time Rollins has found himself in Manuel's doghouse for a day, having been benched June 5 for failing to hustle on a dropped pop fly.

Rollins was ordered to take a seat Thursday after he showed up late for the Phillies 3-1 loss to the Mets, then claiming he was following the team bus to Shea Stadium from his hotel but was held up in traffic. It was the second time he was late this season.

"...You can't change the (traffic) lights," Rollins said, refusing to apologize to his teammates.

Mets Tap Ex-Yankee to Replace Pedro Martinez

Brandon Knight -- a 32-year-old ex-Yankee veteran -- has been called to Shea Stadium to take the place of starter Pedro Martinez, who remains on indefinite bereavement leave following the death of his father in the Dominican Republic.

Knight had a 5-1 record with a 1.60 ERA for the Triple A New Orleans Zephyrs.

Yankees Consider Barry Bonds, But Wait for Now

An unnamed participant emerged from a meeting of the Yankees heirarchy at Tampa late last night, telling The New York Daily News that free agent home run king Barry Bonds is being considered but that the team's top executives "aren't ready to jump on that."

The report followed an acknowledgement by team co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner before the meeting that Bonds -- currently facing a federal indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice -- would be discussed. But after the group broke up, the unnamed executive said Steinbrenner talked about Bonds but "wasn't pushing it," according to the News.

Because of the lateness of the meeting, the report made it only into the city edition.

In a report from a contributor writing under the pseudonym Bronx Bomber, a confidential clubhouse source told MLBnewsonline last week that a contract had been prepared in anticipation of offering it to Bonds, but that it would be withheld until it became clear that injured right fielder Hideki Matsui would miss the remainder of the season. The loss of Matsui would leave the team without a key left-handed hitter, a void Bonds likely could fill.

Matsui continues to put off making a decision on season-ending knee surgery, opting for rehabilitation. The Yankees, however, are bracing for the worst, the MLBnewsonline source has previously reported.

Others participating in the talks are co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and special adviser and former general manager Gene Michael, ESPN said.

Jim 'Mudcat' Grant Likens Barry Bonds to Obama

Former two-time All Star and author Jim "Mudcat" Grant likens home run king Barry Bonds to a high profile politician, explaining that it is as though the former Giants slugger has become a target of mudslinging while standing for public office.

"He's like Barack Obama or John McCain or President Bush or anybody else," Grant, 73, said during his ongoing appearance in Cooperstown, N.Y. for weekend National Baseball Hall of Fame induction activities. "When you run for election you open yourself to all kinds of criticism, abuse and slander -- dirt really."

In an exclusive interview with MLBnewsonline, Grant asserted that Bonds is entitled to a constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence of charges that he lied before a federal grand jury. The public should not jump to conclusions, Grant said.

"Barry Bonds says what he says and he's willing to go to court to prove it, and I don't think we have a right to say what is going to be the outcome," Grant said. "When I played people had opinions and opinions were opinions, but nowadays everybody has an opinion and they think they are right. They don't look at it as an opinion anymore. They look at it as if they know what they are talking about."

Grant, who resides in Los Angeles, played for seven major league teams from 1958 to 1971, including a seven-year stint with the Indians. He is the author of "The Black Aces," a book about African American major league pitchers, and was a personal friend of Barry Bonds' father Bobby Bonds, who died in 2003.

"We all (should) think Barry Bonds is innocent; everybody's innocent until you're proven guilty," Grant said. "Barry has a right to defend himself."

Bonds -- currently under consideration to be signed by the Yankees -- is scheduled to go to trial in March on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, but has steadfastly denied knowingly taking steroids. Though he has 756 home runs to his credit, Bonds so far this season has found no takers for his services.

Yankees Discussing Barry Bonds, AP Reports

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner -- in a statement possibly underscoring an exclusive report last week by MLBnewsonline -- has acknowledged that free agent home run king Barry Bonds will be among the subjects undertaken during a meeting of the team hierarchy in Tampa over the next few days.

"I'll mention it. We'll cover everything. No stone will be left unturned," Steinbrenner told the Associated Press in a report carried by ESPN.

Steinbrenner's statement could be interpreted as suggesting that this would be the first time the Yankees have considered signing Bonds. However, the aforementioned previous report by an MLBnewsonline contributor writing as " The Bronx Bomber" quoted a confidential clubhouse source saying that Bonds has been under consideration in recent days, and that a proposed contract was already being composed.

Before tendering the contract, the team was only waiting to see whether injured right fielder Hideki Matsui would be out for the season, the source said.

Others participating in the talks are co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and special adviser and former general manager Gene Michael, the AP said.

Though majority partner George Steinbrenner resides in Tampa, there was no indication he would participate.

A team spokesman previously would neither confirm nor deny the MLBnewsonline report about Bonds, though it was generally ridiculed in legitimate media and across the blogosphere.

Matsui -- on the disabled list with a knee injury since June 23 -- is still attempting a rehabilitation regimen to see whether he can put off surgery until after the season. The surgery would likely sideline him until next spring or later.

Huston Street Might Be Next To Go

Athletics closer Huston Street could very well become the next player dealt by notorious wheeler-dealer Billy Beane. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Dodgers have been actively scouting the hard-throwing righty in recent days. The Mets and Reds are also reported to have an interest in Street, a fan favorite in Oakland.

Giants GM Brian Sabean Not Clear on Concept

After years of watching Athletics General Manager Billy Beane turn overrated and unaffordable assets into stockpiles of blue chip prospects across the bay, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean decided to get in on the action.

Sabean dealt second baseman Ray Durham, the Giants best hitter, to the Brewers last week for two minor-leaguers. Unfortunately, the one part of the Beane's formula that Sabean failed to employ was the part where you acquire players with the potential to help your major league club at some point.

The two "prospects" involved in the deal are "long shots to have any major league value" according to ESPN insider Keith Law. Not exactly what Giants fans had in mind when the team vowed to "get younger". At least the deal relieves San Francisco of the remainder of Durham's $7.5 million salary, somewhat easing the pain of [over]paying Barry Zito to the tune of $14.5 million.

Zito Giving Giants a Glimmer of Hope

Barry Zito improved his record to 5-12 Tuesday, beating the Nationals and picking up his second win at home this year.  Zito won his second consecutive decision for the first time this season.  Striking out five and scattering seven hits over six innings, Zito is finally beginning to quiet the boo-birds that dogged him during his horrendous start this season.  With the Giants on the hook for another 5 years at $101.5 million, the team's fan base is desperately looking for reasons to cheer their $126 million man.  After starting the season 0-8, his 5-4 record and sub-5 ERA since are reasons to believe that, although he will likely never live up to his monster contract, he at least has the ability to provide San Francisco with a rotation-worthy starter for the foreseeable future.

More Disgusting News About Madonna and A-Rod

The Daily Star brings us the unfortunate news that a hidden camera captured self-proclaimed Catholic Madonna and her alleged buddy A-Rod engaging in sinful congress. In other words, a sex tape. Or in other words, vomit inducing footage of Madonna.

Basically what it sounds like is that some photographer, no doubt of French descent, set up a hidden camera in an apartment that these two misfits visited. Things happened and now Pierre wants 1 million euros.

The Daily Star is making a huge deal about all the legal ramifications of such a tape. Who really gives a crap. If this tape exists, this is terrible news for just about everyone who hears about it (God help those who accidentally watch it). It's also excellent news for Cynthia Rodriguez, whose divorce may become even more lucrative.

Dodgers Make Another Big Splash, Sign Pablo Ozuna

Realizing that his job might be in jeopardy because the Dodgers never score any runs, Dodgers GM Ned Colleti has given the offense a shot in the arm by signing utilityman Pablo Ozuna, who was released last week by the White Sox.  

Ozuna joins Colleti's other big mid-season acquisition, Angel Berroa, on the Dodgers bench.  The 34 year-old Ozuna had hit .281 in 64 at-bats with the White Sox.  0 home runs, 6 RBI.  Good one, Ned.

Scranton Next Stop for Yankees SP Phil Hughes?

Injured Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes -- now in a rehabilitative throwing program at the team's training complex in Tampa -- may be among a handful of players who may appear within the next couple of weeks or so at Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, according to a speculative report by The Sunday Voice.

"Nothing is set in stone and the Yankees have not announced a full rehab plan for Hughes and his rib injury, but it's safe to speculate that he could make a Triple A start or two on his way back to Yankee Stadium," according to the report by Voice staff writer Chad Jennings.

It was noted that Yankees manager Joe Girardi has indicated Hughes might return in August, though it is not clear how much the 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 former first-round pick may be vulnerable to a setback.

Meanwhile top pitching prospect Alan Horne -- previously the subject of numerous rumors as the July 31 trading deadline approached -- remains in Scranton for conditioning of what he described as an arm that felt "dead" after he was removed from a June 29 game at Yankee Stadium.

Some observers theorized Horne at that time was being showcased to be traded, though his mysterious injury may have dampened any such talk.

Also remaining at Scranton is former Japanese standout Kei Igawa, who likely could not be considered much more than a major league bust at this point. However, the 28-year-old lefty has an 8-3 record for the Triple A club with a respectable 3.80 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 106 innings. He would be a probable callup when rosters are expanded in September, perhaps sooner if necessary.

Justin Duchscherer Questions Athletics Trades

The recent trades of Joe Blanton, Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin have confused Athletics starter Justin Duchscherer, who himself has been the focus of trade speculation in recent weeks.

"Sometimes you wonder as a player what the organization is doing, giving up on the season or what? But I'm just going to go out there and do my best to help us win," Duchscherer recently told The Oakland Tribune.

Having hinted he prefers to stay with the A's, Duchscherer hardly can be expected to enjoy seeing his name mentioned in trade rumors, especially given General Manager Billy Beane's penchant for dealing away the team's best arms.

"...When you start trading these three guys within 10 or 15 days, you start thinking, 'Are we trying to get guys in here that are going to help us get to there, or are we trying to rebuild because they don't think we're good enough this season?' " he said.

If a Trading Chip, Aubrey Huff Resigned to Fate

As the once surprising Orioles slip deeper into last place, first baseman Aubrey Huff is resigned to his fate as a trading chip if that's what operations chief Andy MacPhail has in mind.

"We can't worry about what they may or may not do in the front office," Huff recently told Baltimore Sun columnist Peter Schmuck. "We've got to play baseball. If I get traded, I get traded."

Huff -- currently on pace to hit 30-40 homers -- is regarded as one of the more productive players the Orioles might be willing to trade before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Most top playoff contenders' greatest needs, however, do not include first basemen, even if Huff has somewhat dubious experience at third base and the outfield.

Other Orioles speculatively regarded as being on the block include Kevin Millar, Jay Payton and especially left-handed closer George Sherrill. Brian Roberts has most assuredly been shopped, but likely will remain in Baltimore because of a probable high pricetag and costly contract.

The team hardly can afford to part with starting pitchers, though anyone may be available if the price is right.

Hank Blalock Makes Room for Rookie Chris Davis

As predicted more than two weeks ago by www.mlbnewsonline.com, Rangers manager Ron Washington has backtracked on his promise to use veteran Hank Blalock exclusively at first base, returning him to third in order to keep the bat of slugging first baseman Chris Davis in the lineup.

Blalock -- returning from a torn hamstring -- was originally a third baseman but moved to first base after Mark Teixiera was traded to Atlanta last July. Blalock agreed to make the switch on the condition that Washington keep him in one place.

But that was before the emergence of Davis, who was initially called up from the minors as a mere stopgap at first base when Blalock was injured.

Davis, 21 -- hitting in the .260 range -- has hit six homers, about one every 10 at-bats, a Ruthian pace that has gained him an unexpected attention.

It will be interesting to see how long Davis can keep it up. The former fifth round pick's power from the left side of the plate is well documented throughout the infancy of his career, but so is his streakiness.

Rumors Foreshadow Justin Duchscherer 's Trade?

Given Athletics General Manager Billy Beane's penchant for dealing his coveted pitchers -- 2008 standout Justin Duchscherer in all probability will be the next to go if the latest rash of MLB rumors can be believed.

With the July 31 trading deadline fast approaching, the 6-foot-2, right-handed curveball specialist will be in his walk year next season, and Beane is unlikely to agree to an extended contract at $8-10 million or more a year when negotiations intensify over the winter.

Beane has been highly successful dealing established pitchers, Joe Blanton's trade to the Phillies being only the latest in a string dating back to the spinoffs of former Oakland stars Tim Hudson to Atlanta and Mark Mulder to St. Louis.

Duchscherer, 30 -- known a "Duke" to his friends -- has been held back at various points of his career by a successive string of injuries and has been used primarily as a bullpen shortman since joining the Athletics. But he is currently in the midst of a career year as a starter.

With a record of 10-5, Duchscherer has a .144 ERA over his last 10 games, all of which were quality starts, including a complete game shutout.

Barry Bonds Deal Hinges on Hideki Matsui

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is in the process or has completed a proposed contract offer for free agent slugger Barry Bonds, an offer that hinges on the medical condition of left fielder Hideki Matsui, a confidential source within the Yankees organization told MLBnewsonline.com.

Having signed former Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson, the Yankees remain perhaps the most logical destination for Bonds, providing a left-handed bat once it is clear Matsui is out for the season, the source said.

"When you hear that Matsui is out for the season, that's when the contract will be offered to Bonds," the source said.

The Yankees would neither confirm nor deny the report. "We have no comment on any reports," team spokeman Michael Margolis told MLBnewsonline.com.

A number of other media outlets, however, cast considerable skepticism on the original report, including the New York Daily News:

"....There's no truth to a pinstriped pursuit of Bonds, according to a Yankee official, who said, "It's all nonsense."

The rumors even made their way down to Wall Street, the official said. The official had calls from friends who work there.

At the same time, Yahoo Sports quoted Bonds agent Jeff Borris saying, "I'm not in negotiations with the Yankees. I'm not in negotiations with anybody." While possibly true, the Borris comment would not necessarily be at variance with the facts as outlined by the confidential source.

Cashman favors signing Bonds to a 1-year deal with options not only because of his demonstrable skills from the left side of the plate, but because he comes without contractual obligation to another team, the source said.

Moreover, the Yankees would not have to give up prospects as trading chips, as the team would be forced to do to acquire other talent being shopped throughout the major leagues, the source said.

The Yankees were awaiting a decision from doctors as to whether Matsui would require surgery that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. The source said that the team had already braced for the worst, and that Bonds was the key option as a replacement.

Francisco Liriano Not Happy

Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano and his agent have asked the players union to "investigate" why Liriano has not been called up from Triple A. What a jackass!

Liriano, an All-Star during his rookie year of 2006, is 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA over his past nine games. But he missed all of 2007 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and began the year in the big leagues by going 0-3 with a piss-poor 11.32 ERA, so its understandable why the team is being cautious.

Not to mention the fact that they don't need him. The team is currently 1.5 games behind the first place White Sox, in large part due to its rotation.  Scott Baker, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn, and Kevin Slowey have anchored a rotation that also includes veteren Livan Hernandez. Of that group, Hernandez is the only one close to losing his spot, but he is an innings eater and has won nine games.

If and when the Twins decide to recall Liriano, he may be headed to the bullpen, according to ESPN.com.

Clarification on Barry Bonds' 'Talks' with Yankees

(See update, 7/18)

The Bronx Bomber's report that former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is in contract negotiations with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman comes from a source within the Yankees organization, though not through conventional channels.

The variously reported denials eminating from the office of Bonds' agent Jeff Borris give us pause, but the world of free agent signings and negotations, historically being one of thrusts and parries, blocks and feints, cannot absolutely be taken at face value. There is no intent here to cast aspersion in Borris' direction. However, it is only logical that he would seek to deflect any notion that his client has a done deal with the Yankees rather than risk discouraging other suitors.

There is no reason to believe any news or speculation from this source has ever been wrong. The source has described what is tantamount to a news blackout imposed by the front office as a result of a longstanding edict from George Steinbrenner that absolutely no information from unofficial outlets will be tolerated.

Yet, within this isolated culture it is impossible to entirely forbid an exchange of knowledge which may or may not leak from the core of the club's inner sanctum.

MLBnewsonline.com publishes news and other confirmed facts, but also is a conduit for ephemeral rumors which may or may not pass the traditional authentication test that might be imposed by mainstream media. At this time, the Bronx Bomber's source has not backed away from his assertion, and until such time as that occurs we have no reason to retract it, even though it has created a good deal of healthy skepticism.

Further complicating the matter is Mr. Steinbrenner's edict that absolutely nothing should be permitted from unofficial sources under penalty of suspension or dismissal, and therefore no concrete denial can be anticipated from the Yankees.

Information has since been reported that the Yankees have a tentative deal in place with Richie Sexson. Still, as Sexson is a right-handed bat, the signing of Bonds, a lefty, would not necessarily be precluded. We expect an update within 24 to 48 hours and will not hasten to draw any other conclusion at this time except to say the report has yet to be debunked.

- Publisher, MLBnewsonline.com

Yankees Reach Tentative Agreement with Sexson

The Yankees, who have no interest in Barry Bonds*, have reached a tentative agreement with Seattle send-off Richie Sexson.  

Before his release, Sexson was hitting .218 with 11 homers this year, but was hitting .344 against lefties.  This sounds like a move the Dodgers would make - using success against lefties to justify the signing of sub-.220 hitter - but the Yankees beat them to it.  

By the way, Sexson's "success" against lefties is based on 61 at-bats.

Diamondbacks Serious About Contending

In desperate need of a bat, the Diamondbacks have acquired .236 hitting first baseman Tony Clark from the Padres.  He also has hit a home run and....wait for it..... THREE doubles.  

This is a big move for the D'Backs, who sit only one game ahead of the hapless Dodgers. They must be hoping Clark can return to his 2007 form, when he hit .249 for them.