Hamilton's return uncertain
9:54
AM ETJosh Hamilton | Rangers Recommend0Comments0EmailJosh Hamilton missed the final five games of the Texas Rangers' road trip due to problems caused by sinus issues, and it remains unclear if he will be ready for a key series with the Oakland Athletics, according to an ESPNDallas.com report.
Hamilton has not played since leaving Tuesday's game in Anaheim early because of vision and equilibrium problems. "We just have to wait and see when we get to the ballpark (Monday) to see where he is symptom-wise," manager Ron Washington said.
Craig Gentry has started the last five games in center field and had a two-hit game on Sunday in Seattle.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
Will Zito get an NLDS start?
9:37
AM ETBarry Zito | Giants Recommend0Comments0EmailBarry Zito, left off all three postseason rosters on the San Francisco Giants' march to the 2010 World Series title, appears to have secured roster spot for the upcoming Division Series, reports Henry Schulman.
The decision to include Zito contines a bounce-back season for the lefthander who has won 13 games, one more than in the previous two years combined. Zito (4.18 ERA) also remains in contention for a possible Game Four start behind some combination of Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner.
Manager Bruce Bochy must decide between Zito or Ryan Vogelsong, with the other pitcher headed to the bullpen. Vogelsong seemed to be pitching himself out of contention before tossing six strong innings Friday night. The choice could come down to how each starter performs the rest of the way.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants
Guillen's status on South Beach
9:12
AM ETMiami Marlins Recommend0Comments0EmailWill there be major changes on South Beach? The epic disappointment that is the 2012 Miami Marlins has led to all sort of speculation as to how owner Jeffrey Loria will change his last-place team.
Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel reported over the weekend that major changes to the front office are not expected -- but Ozzie Guillen's job may not be safe..
A source close to the Marlins tells Rumor Central that Guillen's return is by no means a guarantee.
There may be even more fuel added to the fire. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports Loria is angry at Guillen for comments the skipper made that were critical of Loria, but exactly what Guillen said that ticked Loria off is not clear.
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald says Loria does not intend to make any major changes to his front office staff, and Larry Beinfest' s job as president of baseball operations would appear to be safe for at least another year.
USA Today reported Thursday that Beinfest would be fired after the season.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Ozzie Guillen, Miami Marlins
Could Loney land in Tampa?
8:58
AM ETJames Loney | Red Sox Recommend0Comments0EmailJames Loney has posted mediocre numbers for Boston (.247/.281/306) since coming over in the August blockbuster with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Red Sox may consider re-signing the first baseman given the limited availability at the position.
Nick Cafardo says one team that may take a look at Loney is the Rays, who are not expected to bring back the struggling Carlos Pena.
Loney, who makes $6.4 million this season, may be in line for a multi-year deal, but teams looking for a power hitter at the position may shy away. Loney has just 72 homers and has not come close to the big numbers he put up for the Dodgers in 2007 (.331 BA).
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, James Loney
Holliday's back problem
8:32
AM ETMatt Holliday | Cardinals Recommend0Comments0EmailThe Cardinals' Matt Holliday continues to play with back discomfort that prompted manager Mike Matheny to remove his star left fielder in the late innings of back-to-back games with the Cubs.
Holliday was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of a close game Sunday, leading to speculation that he could be in line for a night off. But a wild card berth is still up for grabs, so Holliday may simply play through pain.
Shane Robinson could be in line for a start if Holliday gets a rest
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
Huntington's job status
8:08
AM ETPittsburgh Pirates Recommend0Comments0EmailAnother second-half collapse has the Pittsburgh Pirates staring at a 20th straight year without postseason baseball. This time, owner Bob Nutting may not stand idly by, Dejan Kovacecic wrote last week in the Tribune Review.
GM Neal Huntington, for his part, told the Post-Gazette Sunday he plans to retain his front office team this offseason. If he is fired, Huntington hopes whoever replaces him would keep his team around.
Talking about a possible firing seems a bit odd to us, especially since any new GM would undoubtedly want to hire his own personnel.
Kovacevic believes that manager Clint Hurdle and team president Frank ****elly will be retained, but both will have questions to answer since Nutting, who is far from a detached owner, could be looking to make changes at season's end. Hurdle, in particular, must convince ownership he is the man to avoid a third straight collapse.
- Doug Mittler
Tags
ittsburgh Pirates
Backup SS a priority for Tribe
7:44
AM ETCleveland Indians Recommend0Comments0EmailOwners of the worst record in the American League at 63-90, the Cleveland Indians have a few holes to fill. Paul Hoynes takes it one step at a time in Sunday's Plain Dealer, noting that one need is a reliable backup at shortstop behind Asdrubal Cabrera.
Brent Lillibridge and Jason Donald had limited success in that role this season. Juan Diaz was called up for a five-game cameo in late May, but the Tribe would like to give him more minor league seasoning. The Indians won'y overspend for a backup shortstop, so look for them to pay close attention to the list of non-tendered players this winter.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
Staying the course in Anaheim
7:24
AM ETMike Scioscia | Angels Recommend0Comments0EmailForget any of that speculation that Mike Scioscia's job may be in jeopardy.
Angels owner Arte Moreno told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez Saturday night that Scioscia would return for a 14th season regardless of what happens in the team's remaining games, adding that GM Jerry Dipoto would return as well.
"Regardless of what happens the next 11 games, Mike Scioscia will 100 percent return," Moreno said. "I have told him. He wants to come back, I want him to come back. He's been the manager of the Angels for 13 years. He will be the manager of the Angels for a 14th year. Period."
The Angels set the bar for 2012 extremely high with the offseason signings of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, but are 2 1/2 games behind Oakland for the A.L.'s second wild card. If the Halos fail to make up ground, they will miss the playoffs for a third straight season.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com on Saturday described the communication between Scioscia and Dipoto as "strained," adding that their relationship "neared a breaking point" on more than one occasion.
Dipoto tells the Los Angeles Times he never felt his job was in jeopardy.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Los Angeles Angels, Mike Scioscia
Gardner may return this week
7:17
AM ETBrett Gardner | Yankees Recommend0Comments0EmailYankees outfielder Brett Gardner will take batting practice Monday and hopes to be activated in the next day or two, reports Jeff Bradley of the Star Ledger.
Gardner, who has missed all but nine games with a right elbow injury, would likely be used as a defensive replacement and a pinch-runner. Manager Joe Girardi also is leaving open the possibility of adding Gardner to any postseason roster.
The Yankees are ruling out Gardner as a pinch-hitter for now, but the outfielder wants to leave open that possibility, even if that may be too optimistic.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
Francisco done for the season?
6:54
AM ETFrank Francisco | Mets Recommend0Comments0EmailMets closer Frank Francisco has not pitched for more than a week and will miss at least a few more games with a sore elbow.
Neither Francisco nor manager Terry Collins would rule out the possibility that the reliever is done for the season, reports Matt Ehalt of ESPNNewYork.com. Francisco is 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA and 23 saves.
Jon Rauch notched the save in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Miami and should get any of the closing opportunities the rest of the way.
- Doug Mittler
Tags:Frank Francisco, New York Mets
Upton's market
6:36
AM ETB.J. Upton | Rays Recommend0Comments0EmailB.J. Upton is likely to draw heavy interest this winter as he hits the free agent market, despite disappointing offensive production throughout his career, with few exceptions.
Upton plays good defense, runs the bases well and is young enough that some clubs may believe there's still upside at the plate. Among those expected to be in the market for a centerfielder include the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.
The New York Mets could be a dark horse for Upton, as could the Miami Marlins, if they decide to spend again this winter.
The Rangers could lose Josh Hamilton, which will put them in the category of needing an outfielder, but even if Hamilton returns, Upton could remain a possibility for Texas. His presence could allow Hamilton to DH more and play an outfield corner, removing some of the workload of playing center field regularly.
The Reds could also be players for Upton, as they seek more offense from the position than what Drew Stubbs has produced the past few years.
- Jason A. Churchill