Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram reports that MLB is stepping in to the Tom Hicks-HSG Creditors dispute in an effort to get the Rangers sale locked down: The last obstacle delaying the sale of the Texas Rangers could be cleared this week, thanks to an assist from Major League Baseball. Sources confirmed that the lenders…

Three things occurred in the Bay Area yesterday: Continued silence from Bud Selig’s little committee about what will become of the Athletics; MLB President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy had lunch with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed; and The A’s drew a mere 10,000 people for their second game of the season, and it…

In the recaps I called the Sox-Yankees game “boring.”  Upon reflection that was unfair. It wasn’t a boring game. While not the most crisp affair imaginable, it was close and competitive and I shouldn’t really be complaining. It was long, sometimes unnecessarily so, and that’s really what I was reacting against. “Boring” was not the…

David Ortiz after last night’s game: “(Bleep) happens. Then you guys talk (bleep). Two (bleeping) games already. (Bleepers) are going crazy. What’s up with that, man? (Bleep). There’s (bleeping) 160 games left. Y’all (bleepers) go ahead and hit for me.” I’m with Papi on this one. Two games is way, way too early to start…

Rays 4, Orioles 3: Opening Day comes a day late for the Rays and Orioles. And only the Rays and Orioles. Why they didn’t get to play on Monday when everyone else did is beyond me. Maybe there was a gun show or a regional numismatic convention scheduled for the Trop over the weekend and…

Jose Reyes went 1-for-3 with two steals in an extended spring training game Monday and followed that up by going 2-for-5 with two walks in another extended spring game Tuesday night. Perhaps just as importantly, Reyes played all nine innings at shortstop, possibly signaling that he could be cleared to return from his thyroid disorder…

Lance Berkman had his right knee drained for a fifth time and received a cortisone shot on Monday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 34-year-old first baseman underwent arthroscopic surgery last month, and after a series of recent setbacks, he doesn’t sound any closer to returning from the disabled list. “My wife asked me…

Aroldis Chapman will make his U.S. professional debut with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. His first start will be on the road against the Toledo Mudhens, though he’ll undoubtedly be quite the gate attraction no matter where he pitches. Chapman made his unofficial debut with the Reds during spring training,…

On Monday, we mentioned that Colorado closer Huston Street visited Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his right shoulder. Well, today, Troy Renck of the Denver Post tells us that an MRI on Street’s shoulder revealed some inflammation, but no structural damage. While that is very positive news, Renck reports that after numerous…

If nothing else, the AL West should be very interesting to follow. There are reasons to be optimistic about each squad, but I couldn’t help but grow more pessimistic with regards to each team as the spring went on. The Rangers may well have the most talent in the division, yet theirs is a squad…

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Jon Fay points out that the Reds seemingly had the perfect chance to deploy their pinch-hitter/middle reliever Micah Owings in Monday’s Opener. It had become clear during the top of the fifth that Aaron Harang wouldn’t be coming back out for another inning, and his spot was due up to start the…

Lots of love from the Cubs about all the help Greg Maddux have them as a special assistant/jack-of-all-trades in Mesa this spring: The former Cubs and Braves pitcher dabbled in a variety of duties this spring, from watching pitchers to scouting to even throwing a little batting practice. One day this past spring, Minor League…

With nothin’ but night games and not enough of the season behind us for it to have yet created its own newsy momentum, today is a bit slow. So let’s go back to yesterday and look a bit more closely at the Josh Beckett deal. Pfun Pfacts: The team had asked Beckett to include a…

Brett Gardner is the Yankees’ starting left fielder, but after playing the opener against right-hander Josh Beckett he’s on the bench tonight against left-hander Jon Lester. Marcus Thames takes Gardner’s place, which makes a lot of sense if the Yankees are willing to live with the massive defensive downgrade in left field. Thames has a…

In that USA Today salary piece I linked yesterday, Brewers’ owner Mark Attanasio complained thusly: “We’re struggling to sign (first baseman Prince Fielder) and the Yankees infield is making more than our team.” Yankees’ President Randy Levine fired back today: “I’m sorry that my friend Mark continues to whine about his running the Brewers. We…

Major League Baseball released some interesting data regarding player birth places, noting that the number of foreign-born players on Opening Day rosters is at a four-year low. Of course, “four-year low” is probably misleading given that this year’s rate of 27.7 percent isn’t all that far from the all-time high of 29.2 percent in 2005.…

The good Mr. Neyer posted his projected standings at ESPN yesterday.  He has the Yankees, Twins, and Rangers winning their divisions and the Red Sox taking the wild card in the AL and the Phillies, Cardinals and Rockies taking the divisions and the Braves taking the wild card in the senior circuit. Rob’s a lot…

On the disabled list with a broken right thumb suffered early in spring training, Alex Gordon is now scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday at Single-A. Gordon is eligible to return from the disabled list Saturday, but MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel reports that he won’t be ready quite that soon. Willie Bloomquist filled in…

The Sons of Steve Garvey blog has a photo up, which was apparently taken last week, showing an Orlando Hudson banner still hanging on the wall in Dodger Stadium. This despite the fact that they non-tendered him he left via free agency and signed with the Twins back in February. Maybe Jamie got custody of…