MLB News - Sports News | Archive June 30, 2009

Red Sox duo locked in Close All Star Votes -- Yokilis pulls ahead, Pedroia very near in balloting

By Doug Miller
June 30, 2009

On his march to the Major Leagues, the little guy who plays second base for the Boston Red Sox has heard over and over again that he can't, but then he laces up his spikes, throws on his glove and proves everyone wrong.

Now Dustin Pedroia is trying to do it again.

Trailing Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers for weeks in American League All-Star voting, the reigning AL Most Valuable Player moved within a relative hair of the leader with a little more than two days remaining before voting closes for the 80th Midsummer Classic, which will be played July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

It's been a steady climb toward the top for Pedroia, who trailed Kinsler by fewer than 59,000 votes in last week's voting update, and now is fewer than 7,000 votes behind. Once again, the Yankees' Robinson Cano and the Blue Jays' Aaron Hill follow the top two.

Elsewhere around the AL voting, it's clear that crunch time has come and some down-to-the-wire drama is unfolding for several starting slots.

In the ping-pong parade that is the AL first base race, the Red Sox-Yankees rivarly is alive and well in the form of Kevin Youkilis vs. Mark Teixeira. The two have headlined this list from the very beginning of voting, and this week it's Youkilis back on top, by about 40,000 votes.

Three weeks ago, Teixeira had assumed control of the spot, taking a lead on Youkilis for the first time, but two weeks ago Youkilis surged past his Yankees counterpart.

Then, last week, the man they call "Tex" jumped back ahead of Youkilis by more than 35,000 votes. Now Youkilis is back ahead, Teixeira is second, and perennial MVP candidates Justin Morneau of Minnesota and Miguel Cabrera of Detroit are ranked 3 and 4.

Youkilis has 1,915,303 votes; Teixeira has received 1,875,256.

In the other races for starting spots, a few surprises were mixed in among the usual suspects.

Filed under "most expected" is the current result at shortstop, with Derek Jeter of the Yankees -- the league's top vote-getting with 3,046,813 -- holding a significant advantage over Jason Bartlett of the Tampa Bay Rays and looking like a good bet to cruise to his fourth straight All-Star start.

Rangers rookie Elvis Andrus and Blue Jays veteran Marco Scutaro round out the top four at shortstop.

Jeter will get a run for the coveted title of top vote-getter from the leaders at third base and catcher, however.

Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, angling for his second All-Star appearance in as many years in the Majors, kept the top spot over Alex Rodriguez at the hot corner, and with 2,988,363 ballots cast with his name on them, was closing in on Jeter for total votes. Boston's Mike Lowell, Michael Young of Texas and Brandon Inge of the Tigers complete the top five.

With 2,851,819 votes, Twins catcher Joe Mauer is within striking distance of both Jeter and Longoria. Mauer holds a 1.45 million-vote lead over Boston's Jason Varitek, who is followed by the Yankees' Jorge Posada and the Rangers' Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Meanwhile, some serious competition continues to brew in the outfield.

While Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay still leads the way in overall outfield voting, Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki's stellar first half has vaulted him into the second spot ahead of Rangers do-it-all center fielder Josh Hamilton for the second straight week.

Torii Hunter of the Angels isn't far behind Hamilton, closing fast in fourth, about 145,000 votes behind. And Boston speedster Jacoby Ellsbury, despite being injured of late, moved with 7,000 votes of Tampa Bay left fielder Carl Crawford for fifth place.
In-stadium voting has ended, but fans can still vote online for starters up to 25 times with the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Starting rosters will be announced during the 2009 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Pepsi on TBS on Sunday. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote at MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet at the Midsummer Classic via the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint MVP Vote at MLB.com.

The All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.

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Major League Baseball names its O.C. 'all-star' -- Newport Beach resident named as Angels representative in St. Louis.

By Eric Carpenter
June 29, 2009

ANAHEIM – It's official: Christine Shively is an all-star.

The Newport Beach resident, 50, will be the Angels representative at the July 14 baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Major League Baseball officials have announced that Shively garnered the most votes in the "All-Stars Among Us" campaign, sponsored by MLB and People Magazine – a competition meant to recognize everyday people doing great things in their communities.

Shively founded an organization called Knots of Love in 2007 to provide knitted and crocheted caps for cancer patients who've lost their hair. To date, more than 20,000 caps have been handed out to at least 150 cancer centers across the nation and in Canada and Mexico.

"I'm so excited. This is awesome, not just for me but everybody that works with Knots of Love," Shively said. "It's wonderful to represent such a great group of people, and this will only help put more caps on the heads of cancer patients who need them."

Shively, who was nominated by her son Ian, 24, was selected along with two other finalists to represent the Angels in the competition. MLB fans and supporters of the finalists voted online for weeks leading up to last Wednesday's deadline.

Shively competed against Justin Cooper of Buena Park, who raised more than $45,000 for March of Dimes and Children's Hospital of Orange County, and against Daniel Hamer of Trabuco Canyon, who has collected more than 250,000 pairs of shoes for the homeless during the past 20 years.

MLB didn't release the number of votes each finalist received; officials only announced the winners. Shively also won the Register's poll asking readers to pick who should go to St. Louis. She garnered 46 percent of the vote, to 29 percent for Hamer and 25 percent for Cooper.

All three Orange County finalists were recognized last month in an on-field presentation before an Angels/Dodgers game.

Shively wins at all-expenses-paid trip to St. Louis and has been invited to attend a celebrity softball game, the home-run derby and a parade leading to the stadium. She also will be recognized along with 29 other winners during an on-field presentation before the game. And then she gets to watch it.

Matt Bourne, an MLB spokesman, said the league is honored to be recognizing so many everyday heroes.

"As we were planning activities around the All-Star game, in the middle of a recession, we thought it would be best to focus on people doing great work around the country," Bourne said. "We're happy to help shine a spotlight on those who don't get enough of it."

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Latest news and notes from Major League Baseball

June 29, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Santana could return to Angels rotation by weekend

Ervin Santana could be back in the rotation for the Los Angeles Angels next weekend.

Manager Mike Scioscia says the right-hander had no problems Sunday during a 45-pitch rehab assignment in the Arizona Summer League.

Scioscia says Santana will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If that goes well, he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list as early as Friday.

Santana is 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA in six starts. He missed the first six weeks of the season with a sprained ligament in his right elbow and has been out since June 12 due to an inflamed right triceps.

Boston's Lowell has fluid drained, hip injection

The Boston Red Sox will wait a few days to see how third baseman Mike Lowell's ailing right hip responds to the latest treatment.

Lowell had fluid drained Monday and also got an injection that might relieve inflammation in his surgically repaired hip.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said it's unlikely Lowell would rejoin the team in Baltimore, where Boston plays through Wednesday. In the meantime, the Red Sox will see whether Lowell improves or needs to go on the disabled list.

Lowell had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in October. He is hitting .282 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI, and has not played since appearing as a pinch-hitter Saturday.

Hamilton starts rehab

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton started his comeback from abdominal surgery.

Hamilton went 1 for 4 with a walk while leading off as the designated hitter for Class AA Frisco (Texas) on Monday. He had an RBI single and stole a base in the seventh inning and appeared to be running with no problems, even sliding into second base.

The Rangers said Hamilton, who has missed all of June, will work out with them today before their game against the Los Angeles Angels. Hamilton will then join Class AAA Oklahoma City on Wednesday in Iowa and play multiple games there, including in the outfield.

Hamilton had surgery June 9. He got hurt when he crashed into an outfield wall making a catch.

Twins Gardenhire ejected against Royals

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing whether a ball hit Jason Kubel's foot in Monday's game against Kansas City.

With one out in the sixth, Kubel hit a grounder that appeared to hit his foot. Home plate umpire Larry Vanover ruled the ball fair and Royals first baseman Mike Jacobs made the put out at first.

Gardenhire argued calmly for about a minute, then pulled off his hat and became heated when Vanover wouldn't check with third base ump Charlie Reliford to see if the ball hit Kubel's foot.

Gardenhire threw his hat down after being ejected and argued some more before leaving the field. It was his sixth ejection this season, 44th overall.

A's starter Outman to have elbow surgery

Oakland Athletics rookie left-hander Josh Outman will have surgery on his pitching elbow today.

Outman visited with orthopedist James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. Outman was transferred to the 60-day disabled list a day earlier, signaling the club expects a lengthy recovery period.

Outman was a bright spot for the last-place A's this season, going 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA. He left his last start in San Diego on June 19 in the second inning with what the team called a sprained elbow.

Guillen scratched against Twins

Kansas City Royals right fielder Jose Guillen was out of the lineup against Minnesota and could miss another game with a stiff left side.

Royals manager Trey Hillman says the stiffness starts in Guillen's lower back and runs up his entire left side. Guillen has been playing through the off-and-on problem, but Hillman decided to give him some time off with the team set to play 15 consecutive days.

Guillen is hitting .257 with eight homers and 33 RBI.

Rangers promote Borbon for major league debut

The Texas Rangers promoted outfielder Julio Borbon to make his major league debut. He struck out in his first major league at-bat.

Right-handed Willie Eyre was optioned to Class AAA Oklahoma City. The Rangers had eight relievers with only three players on the bench before the move.

Borbon was hitting .298 in 71 games at Oklahoma City.

Borbon was a supplemental pick (35th overall) after the first round of the 2007 draft.

Indians send Josh Barfield to minors

Infielder Josh Barfield has been optioned to Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) by the Cleveland Indians, clearing a roster spot for newly acquired right-hander Chris Perez.

Perez was acquired Saturday from St. Louis for third baseman Mark DeRosa and reported Monday. He was 1-1 with one save and a 4.18 ERA in 29 relief appearances for St. Louis, allowing two of 15 inherited runners to score.

Cleveland also will receive a player to be named for DeRosa, acquired by the Indians from the Chicago Cubs last offseason.

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NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros waive RHP Brandon Backe

The Houston Astros placed right-handed pitcher Brandon Backe on waivers.

Backe, 31 who has no record with a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings for the Astros this season, rejected an assignment to Class AAA Round Rock (Texas). He will likely become a free-agent and receive all of his $1.5 million salary after three days.

Backe is 31-29 with a 5.23 ERA over eight seasons with Tampa Bay and Houston, including a 9-14 mark with a 6.05 ERA for the Astros last year.

Cubs recall OF Fuld, put Miles on DL

Outfielder Sam Fuld was recalled by the Chicago Cubs from Class AAA (Des Moines) Iowa to replace infielder Aaron Miles, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow.

Fuld hit .410 in his last 10 games for Iowa and had a .398 average in June. He appeared in 14 games for the Cubs in 2007, going 0-for-6. He will be used as a left-handed bat off the bench and as a late-innings defensive replacement.

Miles, who is hitting .203 in 46 games, was on the disabled list May 26-June 10 with a strained right shoulder. The latest move, made Monday, is retroactive to June 21.

Mets' Beltran to get second opinion on ailing knee

New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran was in Vail, Colo. to have a second opinion on his ailing right knee.

Beltran was consulting with knee specialist Richard Steadman. Beltran has an aching bone bruise in his knee and assistant general manager John Ricco says Beltran asked to have a second opinion.

Steadman primarily performs microfracture knee surgery on basketball players, but the Mets don't believe the injury has progressed to that point.

Beltran had been playing through pain and hobbling on the bases for some time before going on the 15-day disabled list on June 22. He was hitting .336 with eight homers, 20 doubles, 40 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Khalil Greene goes back on DL with anxiety

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Khalil Greene was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time with social anxiety disorder.

The Cardinals purchased the contract of right-hander Clayton Mortensen, 24, from Class AAA Memphis. That move restores St. Louis' pitching staff to 13 after one day with a dozen following the acquisition of Mark DeRosa from the Indians.

Greene is batting .200 with five home runs and 19 RBI. His eight errors are one off the team high despite playing in only 47 games. He was activated from the DL on June 18 after missing 19 games.

Mortensen is the 14th rookie to appear with the Cardinals this season, and would be the eighth to make his major league debut.

Ramirez drops to seventh in All-Star voting

Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped one spot to seventh place in All-Star voting among NL outfielders with four days remaining in balloting for starters.

Ramirez, whose 50-game drug suspension is slated to end Friday, had 1,343,011 votes and trailed Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez (2,970,139), Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (2,654.061), the Mets' Carlos Beltran (2,085,028), the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano (1,916,598), Philadelphia's Shane Victorino (1,642,248) and Milwaukee's Mike Cameron (1,345,763). The top three outfielders are elected to start the July 14 game at St. Louis.

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