Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Notes: Drew again having 1st-half struggles

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July 4

Arizona Republic

"First halves don't seem to be a strong suit for Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew, who for the second year in a row is off to a sluggish beginning to his season. Drew is hitting just .243 in 222 at-bats, and his overall numbers more resemble his light-hitting 2007 season than his breakout '08. It was around this time last season when Drew took off at the plate, but he doesn't view himself as a second-half player. "I guess you can look at it and say that's the way it appears," he said. "I'd like for it not to, but that's the way it seems. I'll just keep pushing." Just when it appears Drew has been ready to start a hot streak, he has a series such as the one this week in Cincinnati, when ..."

D-Backs, game's evolution diminish day

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July 4

Arizona Republic

columnist Dan Bickley

"America's birthday has arrived. Roll out the coolers, chlorinate the pool, fire up the barbecue, and grab a chair for the drunken uncle. It's always a great party. Unfortunately, it's also a day to remember your love of baseball, a day to put the game on in the background and bond with your local team. That won't be happening around here. In Year 12 of their zany existence, the Diamondbacks might be authoring their worst season on record, and the collapse is staggering. In October 2007, they were four victories from their second World Series berth in seven years, and General Manager Josh Byrnes was the hottest architect since Frank Lloyd Wright. Now they shame us. The dynasty in training ..."

Rolling Rockies blank D-Backs

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July 4

Arizona Republic

"With every day comes more embarrassment for the Diamondbacks, who at least once a week seem to outdo themselves in ignominy, the latest cover-your-eyes performance in Friday night's 5-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies. After three more miscues gave the Diamondbacks the most errors in the major leagues with 74, infielder Mark Reynolds voiced his displeasure to reporters, questioning his teammates' commitment and pride while delivering the most-pointed comments from a player this season. "We look like the damn Bad News Bears out there, and it's frustrating as hell," he said. "It's to the point where stuff's got to change. You can give all the rah-rah speeches you want and have all the team ..."

Which D-Backs stay; which will go?

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July 3

Arizona Republic

"Maybe we all should have seen it coming. The "Baby Backs" that Valley baseball fans so adored just a couple of seasons ago have reached their awkward years. And a season that began with so much youthful promise has broken out everywhere in blemishes. The team's ace, Brandon Webb, has a balky shoulder. Conor Jackson, among the club's better hitters, came down with valley fever. There's an ineffective bullpen, a change in managers, a lousy record at home and, predictably, disgruntled fans who are booing the home team. And it's not even the All-Star break. So where do the Diamondbacks go from here, besides deeper into the abyss? The non-waiver trading deadline is July 31, and reality has ..."

D-Backs nearing deal on spring home

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July 3

Arizona Republic

"Negotiations with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community over a new spring training home for the Diamondbacks have ratcheted up in the past week and the sides appear to be inching toward an agreement. Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said the sides are nearing the final stages of negotiations, adding that the team remains in contact with one of the other two finalists in case the deal with Salt River doesn't materialize. The facility, which the Diamondbacks would share with the Colorado Rockies, would be paid for by the tribe and built near Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road. The Diamondbacks formally notified Tucson last month that 2010 would be their final Cactus League season in Tucson, ..."

Votto gives Reds win

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July 3

Cincinnati Enquirer

"One of the Dusty Baker's messages at the team meeting this week was to finish the game emotionally and physically spent. His players took that to heart Thursday, specifically Baker's heart. "I told (coach) Mark Berry: 'They're going to kill the old skipper,'?" Baker said It was a 3-hour, 26-minute ride on the emotional roller coaster, but the Reds beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in 10 innings on Joey Votto's two-out, bases-loaded single that went through shortstop Augie Ojeda. • Photos: Reds 3, Diamondbacks 2 • Game summary, statistics "That would have been a back breaker," Baker said. "They've kept fighting and kept plugging. Pressure busts the pipe. We kept the ..."

Cueto brilliant as Reds win

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July 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Reds needed a win in the worst way Wednesday night, and with the bats quiet, it all pretty much came down to how well Johnny Cueto would pitch. And he pitched very well, indeed. Cueto, stiff back and all, threw six innings of one-hit, shutout ball. The Reds rode it to a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks before a crowd of 20,374 at Great American Ball Park. "I felt like Johnny single-handedly beat them," Joey Votto said. The win put the Reds back at .500 and within three games of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. Votto drove in the game's only run. "Frankly, looking at the scoreboard, it was nice to have gotten it, but I don't care," Votto said. ..."

Cueto, bullpen shut out Diamondbacks

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July 2

Dayton Daily News

"Johnny Cueto gave up one hit in six innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but winning this one was as difficult as pitching with a sore back. Pass the pain pills. Why? Cueto had a sore back - a back so sore manager Dusty Baker and trainer Steve Baumann rushed to the mound in the second inning to check his health and well-being. And Cueto went to the clubhouse after the second inning so that strength coordinator Matt Kruase could stretch Cueto's back. After that, clearing sailing - almost. Because of the stiff back, the Cincinnati Reds righthander walked four in the first two innings and needed 82 pitches to get through four innings. And his teammates thought offense was something ..."

D-Backs pitchers batting relatively well

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July 2

Arizona Republic

"Dan Haren's home run Tuesday night gave him bragging rights, but the rest of the Diamondbacks' pitchers haven't swung the bats bad, either. Diamondbacks pitchers entered Wednesday with the highest batting average (.169) of any staff in the National League, and the pitchers say they've drawn extra motivation out of a rotation-wide statistical competition - with money on the line, of course. "I think we've done a great job with the bat this year," Haren said. "(Max) Scherzer's been outstanding. Dougie (Doug Davis) is having a career year with the bat. Anything that can motivate us a little more - you know, putting balls in play, getting bunts down especially, but then the hits have come, ..."

Confirmed: Petit to replace Buckner

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July 2

Arizona Republic

"Manager A.J. Hinch announced right-hander Yusmeiro Petit as the starter for Saturday's game against the Rockies. Petit takes the place in the rotation of right-hander Billy Buckner. Petit has been out since May 9 because of right-shoulder inflammation and has not had good results in five games of his rehab assignment, posting a 6.89 ERA and allowing four home runs in 15 2/3 innings. But the club's other primary options haven't stood out, either, as Cesar Valdez and Hector Ambriz are coming off bad starts and Tony Barnette, though solid in recent games, has a 5.71 ERA."

Fans mock team; Upton responds with gesture

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July 2

Arizona Republic

"The frustration from an inning that has to rank among the more ignominious in franchise history kept spilling over Sunday afternoon. Right fielder Justin Upton committed one of three errors in an ugly, five-run Angels fifth and uncorked a wild throw that nearly led to another run. After fans aired their displeasure with boos and mock cheers, Upton responded by fake-tossing a ball into the stands at the end of the sixth. Upton, through a club spokesman, declined to speak with reporters after the game. Second baseman Felipe Lopez, who let a grounder go through his legs during the fifth, also told a team official he would not comment, and first baseman Mark Reynolds, who dropped a routine ..."

Cueto Quiets the Diamondbacks

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July 2

KYPost.com

"Johnny Cueto settled down after two erratic innings Wednesday night and pitched the Cincinnati Reds to a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cueto lasted six innings and gave up only one hit, an infield single. The bullpen permitted only a bunt single. The Reds only run came in the sixth inning when Joey Votto flared a single into shallow center field allowing Chris Dickerson to score from second."

Webb Will Not Have Shoulder Surgery

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July 2

Arizona Republic

"After weighing the opinions of three orthopedic specialists, Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb will not undergo surgery on his balky right shoulder. Surgery to repair his labrum was recommended by Diamondbacks team physician Dr. Michael Lee last week, but all three doctors Webb visited in the past several days told him a procedure is not needed. "We never arrived at that decision, and we still haven't," Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "At this point, I think it's beneficial he was able to get so many opinions and we were able to put our heads together and decide this was the best course of action." Webb did not return a call seeking comment. His agent, Jonathan Maurer, did not ..."

Working the sell phones

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July 1

MLB.com

(scroll down)

"Indians GM Mark Shapiro has seen this movie before and might be directing it again. The struggling Tribe already shipped out useful vet DeRosa and rumors abound that Shapiro might say goodbye to pitchers Carl Pavano and Kerry Wood and possibly even slugging catcher Victor Martinez if the price is right. The Orioles could dangle Aubrey Huff, Ty Wigginton or Luke Scott, the Pirates and Nationals already have shown a willingness to part with a good portion of their players, the Royals could make available a host of position players and pitchers, the Padres might offer a little hitting (Scott Hairston) while the D-backs could deal pitching (Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Chad Qualls) to the right ..."

Melvin slated to accept job with Padres

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July 1

MLB.com

"Bob Melvin, let go last month as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will accept an unspecified position with the Padres, possibly as soon as Wednesday. Melvin was in San Diego on Monday and Tuesday meeting with Padres team officials, including general manager Kevin Towers. It's not known if Melvin -- relieved of his duties May 8 after spending the past four-plus seasons in Arizona -- will be an advisor to Towers or a consultant. The 47-year-old Melvin, the 2007 National League Manager of the Year, was let go by the D-backs after a disappointing start. Melvin, who went 337-340 in Arizona, was let go even though he was under contract through the 2010 season."

D-backs activate Tracy from 15-day DL

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July 1

MLB.com

"The D-backs activated first baseman Chad Tracy from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. Tracy had missed the last month with a right oblique injury. Manager A.J. Hinch said Tracy would start Wednesday at first base against the Reds. Tracy completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno. He was hitting .203 with four home runs and 17 RBIs before the injury. Tracy, who missed 27 games, takes the spot of reliever Leo Rosales, who was optioned to Reno. Rosales was recalled on Saturday to replace starter Billy Buckner. On the season, Rosales is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 games."

Diamondbacks batter Arroyo

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July 1

Dayton Daily News

"The last place Arizona Diamondbacks slinked in to town under the cover of darkness carrying the burden of a five-game losing streak and losses in eight of their previous nine games. For one night the D-Backs were able to pack up their troubles in an old kit bag and smile, smile, smile while facing the Cincinnati Reds and Bronson Arroyo. The D-Backs scorched Arroyo for six runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings while the Reds were a play thing for Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren during a 6-2 whip-lashing by Arizona. The Reds didn't have a hit until a two-out single by Jay Bruce in the fifth inning and they finished with four hits off Haren in his seven innings. For his career, before Tuesday, ..."

D-Backs as cartoon characters

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July 1

Arizona Republic

columnist Bob Young

"What do frustrated Diamondbacks fans draw upon when times are toughest? An envelope! That's all cartoonist Rick Kirkman could find during the fifth inning of Arizona's dismal 12-8 loss to the Angels on Sunday. While most in the announced crowd of 25,684 at Chase Field expressed themselves with lusty booing, Kirkman sketched. The result was an impromptu strip of potential future Diamondbacks fan promotions from a "Bobble-Mitt Night" to "Free Home Plates." You know, so fans can "Steal home like the pros." Hey, it's what he does. An avid Diamondbacks fan who attends several games a year, Kirkman collaborates with Jerry Scott to produce the popular comic strip "Baby Blues" that appears in ..."

Petit seems likely to fill Buckner's rotation spot

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July 1

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks still have not named a replacement for right-hander Billy Buckner, who was sent to the minors last week, in the starting rotation. Manager A.J. Hinch said right-hander Max Scherzer will start either Friday or Saturday in Colorado. On whichever day Scherzer does not start, the club could turn to one of several options in Triple-A Reno. Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, who is on a rehab assignment after going on the DL in May because of a shoulder injury, seems to be the most likely candidate. Because he's an option to start, the club pulled him from his start with Reno after three innings on Tuesday. But he did not strengthen his case by allowing five hits and three runs (two ..."

Diamondbacks batter Arroyo

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July 1

Dayton Daily News

"The last place Arizona Diamondbacks slinked in to town under the cover of darkness carrying the burden of a five-game losing streak and losses in eight of their previous nine games. For one night the D-Backs were able to pack up their troubles in an old kit bag and smile, smile, smile while facing the Cincinnati Reds and Bronson Arroyo. The D-Backs scorched Arroyo for six runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings while the Reds were a play thing for Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren during a 6-2 whip-lashing by Arizona. The Reds didn't have a hit until a two-out single by Jay Bruce in the fifth inning and they finished with four hits off Haren in his seven innings. For his career, before Tuesday, ..."

Type B fever?

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June 30

Foxsports.com

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"In a reversal of conventional wisdom, the Diamondbacks believe that left-hander Doug Davis and their other potential free agents might have enhanced trade values because they project to be Type B players rather than Type As. A Type A player can bring a club two high draft picks if he is offered arbitration and departs as a free agent. The risk, of course, is that the player will accept the offer and command an inflated salary through the process. The Diamondbacks declined to take such a chance with free-agent outfielder Adam Dunn last offseason — and received no compensation when he signed with the Nationals. Type B free agents, on the other hand, feature no such deterrent; teams that sign ..."

Angels feel at home against NL West

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June 29

Orange County Register

"They don't have to go home. But they can't stay here. The Angels' romp through the National League West ended Sunday afternoon with a 12-8 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, completing a three-game sweep in the desert. The sweep was the Angels' third in six interleague series against NL West teams this season. They have just one three-game sweep against an AL team (May 8-10, Kansas City Royals). While going 14-4 in interleague play - the best record in baseball this year and matching the franchise's best interleague mark (2007) - the Angels hit .297 as a team with 31 home runs (one every 20.4 at-bats) and an average of 6.39 runs scored per game. In their first 55 games against American ..."

D-Backs' errors fuel Angels sweep

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June 29

Arizona Republic

"That the Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon added more lowlights to their 2009 blooper reel - a flick that grows by the day and needs only circus music for accentuation - was no surprise. The only thing stunning was that the plays happened in rapid fire during the fifth inning of a 12-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels and came mere hours after manager A.J. Hinch called his third team meeting in the past 11 days. By the end, the Diamondbacks' subsequent return to respectability - they turned a 9-2 blowout into a one-run game an inning later - became just a footnote as the Angels tacked on late runs and completed a three-game sweep, adding yet another sad chapter to what has the feel of an ..."

Brewers, D-Backs discussing trade

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June 29

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks and Brewers have engaged in trade discussions, according to reports out of Milwaukee on Sunday. Brewers Assistant General Manager Gord Ash wasn't specific on which players the teams have discussed, but Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis and Felipe Lopez are two names that would make sense logically. "Because they're one of the few clubs with available pieces, their asking price is way too high," Ash told reporters. "So they don't have to make a deal yet." Short hops A.J. Hinch said he held outfielder Chris Young out of the starting lineup, continuing to handle him cautiously after he injured his groin June 18 in Kansas City. Hinch anticipated having Young in the lineup ..."

D-Backs' errors fuel Angels sweep

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June 29

Arizona Republic

"That the Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon added more lowlights to their 2009 blooper reel - a flick that grows by the day and needs only circus music for accentuation - was no surprise. The only thing stunning was that the plays happened in rapid fire during the fifth inning of a 12-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels and came mere hours after manager A.J. Hinch called his third team meeting in the past 11 days. By the end, the Diamondbacks' subsequent return to respectability - they turned a 9-2 blowout into a one-run game an inning later - became just a footnote as the Angels tacked on late runs and completed a three-game sweep, adding yet another sad chapter to what has the feel of an ..."

Arizona finds no relief from Angels' bullpen

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June 29

Los Angeles Times

"Relievers Jason Bulger, Justin Speier and Brian Fuentes shut down a surging Arizona offense over the final three innings today, and the Angels held on for a 12-8 interleague victory over the Diamondbacks in Chase Field. Trailing, 9-2, Arizona scored once in the fifth inning and five times in the sixth to pull to within 9-8, but Bulger threw a scoreless seventh, Speier a scoreless eighth and Fuentes a scoreless ninth. The Angels extended their win streak to five and completed a three-game sweep of Arizona to close out interleague play with a major league-best 14-4 record entering tonight's American League West showdown series in Texas. The Angels entered Sunday with a major league-worst ..."

Haren acing the opposition

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June 28

East Valley Tribune

"Dan Haren's numbers are astounding. While injuries and inconsistency have spoiled the Diamondbacks' season, their ace trudges on, continuing to show he is one of the elite pitchers in major league baseball. He leads National League starters in ERA (2.25), batting average against (.191), walks and hits per inning pitched (0.82) and quality starts (14). He is a lock to be added to the National League All-Star team, and could be in the running to start the contest. "What can I say, man?" catcher Miguel Montero said. "That guy's nasty. He's the best pitcher in the big leagues right now." Haren's ability to command four pitches might be the easiest way to explain his success. His fastball, ..."

Young not completely back from injury

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June 28

Arizona Republic

"After missing four games with a groin injury, the Diamondbacks' Chris Young started Friday night's 12-3 loss to the Angels. He left after six innings, and manager A.J. Hinch kept the center fielder out of Saturday's lineup. "I wasn't entirely comfortable with what I saw (Friday,)" Hinch said. "He was playing a little guarded on non do-or-die plays. He didn't really have that play when he had to go all out, but I want to make sure that he's fine." It's possible Young might sit out Sunday in preparation for a three- game set against Cincinnati that starts Tuesday. "For Chris Young to be effective, his legs are such an important part of his game in the outfield," Hinch said. "It's pretty ..."

D-Backs pitchers abysmal at home

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June 28

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks' struggles at Chase Field are baffling, even for a team 15 games under .500. Entering Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Angels, the Diamondbacks have lost 27 times in downtown Phoenix, the most home losses in baseball. At 15-27, their home record trumps only the Washington Nationals (13-25). It's easy to pinpoint the struggles on pitching. Entering Saturday, the Diamondbacks sported a 5.27 ERA at Chase Field, nearly two runs worse than their performance on the road. Starter Billy Buckner, optioned to Triple-A Reno after Friday's loss, had a 14.34 ERA at home. Jon Garland (7.51) and Max Scherzer (5.31) also have struggled. "The reality is they're going to ..."

Mike Napoli's home run powers Angels to victory

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June 28

Los Angeles Times

"The Angels scored their first run Saturday on what is known among the 10- to 12-year-old set as a "Little League home run," a play on which Erick Aybar bunted for a hit and raced around the bases on a pair of Arizona errors. Their second run was pure big league, Mike Napoli's prodigious ninth-inning home run off the batter's eye above the center-field wall that gave the Angels a 2-1 interleague victory over the Diamondbacks in Chase Field. John Lackey threw seven strong innings, giving up one unearned run, five hits and striking out eight, and closer Brian Fuentes recorded his major league-leading 21st save, as the Angels won for the 11th time in 14 games and extended their winning streak ..."

Byrnes undergoes surgery, Romero called up

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June 27

Arizona Republic

"According to Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch, hand specialist Don Sheridan inserted a pin Friday to help repair the broken fifth metacarpal in Eric Byrnes' left hand. The outfielder, struck by a pitch in Thursday's second inning, is expected to miss four to eight weeks. Alex Romero replaced Byrnes on the roster. In 70 games at Reno, he hit .348 with two home runs and 47 RBIs. "It's a frustrating role in Triple-A when you perform well enough to warrant consideration, and yet he's had to wait a little while," Hinch said of Romero."

Lopez aiding D-Backs on, off the field

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June 27

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks on Friday purchased the contract of Alex Romero from Triple-A Reno. Second baseman Felipe Lopez welcomed the outfielder by sneaking up behind him with an air horn. Comic relief often is an underrated element in the clubhouse. But when distance from first to last in the division standings starts to grow, it can be vital to survive a long season. Lopez seems to understand as much. After a game last month, as reporters congregated around Mark Reynolds' locker, he leaned in from the side and quietly offered Reynolds his translation skills. With cameras rolling, Reynolds tried not to laugh, but failed."

Angels blitz Buckner, Diamondbacks

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June 27

Arizona Republic

"Perhaps the best thing that comes with a down season is that it gives an organization's young players a chance to prove their worth. For the last month, Billy Buckner had such a chance, but he seldom took advantage. The Diamondbacks right-hander was battered in Friday night's 12-3 series-opening loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Buckner threw 48 pitches, giving up eight runs, never surviving the second inning. As he walked off the mound, many in the Chase Field crowd booed. Buckner sat in the dugout as coaches Lorenzo Bundy and Chip Hale offered encouragement. After the game, the Diamondbacks optioned the pitcher - who had posted a 7.84 ERA in seven starts - to Triple-A Reno. "It's just to ..."

Angels unleash prickly heat in Arizona

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June 27

Los Angeles Times

"They opened the roof in Chase Field just before the first pitch Friday night, allowing the warmth of a 98-degree evening to fill the stadium and the Angels to hearken back to March, when they were the scourge of the Valley of the Sun. Remember the Terrors of Tempe, the offensive juggernaut that rolled through spring training with a major league-best 26-8 record, a .315 batting average, a .390 on-base percentage, and scored an average of 7.4 runs a game? Maybe it was the hot, dry Arizona air, but the team that blew out the Diamondbacks, 12-3, on Friday night, extending its win streak to three games and improving to a major league-best 13-4 in interleague play, looked a lot like those Cactus ..."

Online balloting to decide '09 All-Stars

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June 26

MLB.com

"We, the people, are deciding who goes to the 80th All-Star Game July 14 in St. Louis.We are ready for the mad rush.We are entering that Validation Key over and over, submitting our 25 allotted votes in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com.We punched those Walt Disney Pictures G-Force All-Star Game paper ballots and left those little chads all over ballparks, and now those last paper ballots are being collected tonight at Pittsburgh and Houston as it goes online-only for the homestretch.We know it's the final week to decide starters. Our deadline as empowered fans is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, and we know that only because we have been staring at this javascript voting app ..."

Mother's Day bats now up for auction

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June 26

MLB.com

"It has been a big first half of baseball for current American League All-Star first baseman vote front-runner Mark Teixeira, and that included that memorable Mother's Day game back in his hometown of Baltimore, where he crushed a two-run homer for the Yankees.He was swinging a pink bat."It's obviously huge -- I think that's the first home run I've hit with a pink bat, so I'm going to go bring that to Mom right now," Teixeira said on May 9, referring to Margy, a breast cancer survivor who had been diagnosed when he was a freshman at Baltimore's St. Joseph's High School. "As soon as I hit it, I thought about it. It's pretty special to me."Margy may have gotten that pink bat, but another one ..."

Chris Davis turns tips into hits in Texas Rangers' 12th-inning win

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June 26

Dallas Morning News

"The celebration of a landmark achievement wouldn't have been the same had the Texas Rangers lost the finale late Thursday to Arizona. Omar Vizquel finally passed Luis Aparicio to become the all-time leader in hits by a native of Venezuela, but only a victory would allow him to fully enjoy it. Chris Davis helped make sure that Vizquel could savor his slice of history, thanks to a tip the 21-year veteran had given Davis only a day earlier. Davis went 4-for-5, including a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning, as the Rangers edged Arizona 9-8 and left Chase Field with a second consecutive victory. "It definitely felt good to swing the bat well and do it throughout the game," said ..."

Byrnes hit by pitch, out 4 to 8 weeks

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June 26

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes is expected to miss four to eight weeks after breaking the fifth metacarpal in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning on Thursday night. The Diamondbacks said Byrnes will require surgery after he was drilled with a 90 mph fastball by Texas right-hander Scott Feldman on a 1-2 pitch. Byrnes, who was replaced in left field by Ryan Roberts, was hitting .216 with five home runs in 194 at-bats."

Tracy close to return to D-Backs

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June 26

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes said first baseman Chad Tracy, who entered Thursday hitting .250 (4 for 16) with a double on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, could be reinstated from the disabled list in the next few days. Tracy has been out since May 30 with a right oblique injury. It's unclear how the Diamondbacks will fit him on the roster, although they could trim their staff from 13 pitchers."

D-Backs depending on Howell, Stottlemyre

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June 26

Arizona Republic

"Baseball is guilty of a confusing moral code. Sometimes gruff is better than polish, secrecy preferable to honesty and tradition favored over innovation. It is the greatest skeptic of all professional sports and no one knows that better than Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch. Hiring a polished, mid-30s Stanford graduate with player development experience but no coaching chops didn't sell well. The move suggested a snub of the game's great intangible power tools - trust, acceptance, communication - but Hinch doesn't agree and believes the two men he brought along to share the ride will help fill the gap. Because it was announced the same time as Hinch's hiring, the addition of Jack Howell as ..."

Rangers frustrate slumping D-Backs

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June 26

Arizona Republic

"The foul tip ricocheted into and out of catcher Miguel Montero's glove in the 12th inning on Thursday night, and instead of having an inning-ending strikeout of Texas Rangers slugger Chris Davis, Diamondbacks reliever Esmerling Vasquez had to throw another pitch. It didn't work out well. Davis took advantage of the reprieve, drilling the next pitch over the right field wall, helping the Rangers to a 9-8 win and a series victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. For the Diamondbacks, it was an eventful night on both ends of the spectrum. In the second inning, outfielder Eric Byrnes suffered a broken bone in his left hand that will cost him at least a month. And in the eighth, Mark ..."

Davis shines in Rangers' late-inning triumph

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June 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The celebration of a landmark achievement wouldn't have been the same had the Texas Rangers lost the finale late Thursday to Arizona. Omar Vizquel finally passed Luis Aparicio to become the all-time leader in hits by a native of Venezuela, but only a victory would allow him to fully enjoy it. Chris Davis helped make sure that Vizquel could savor his slice of history, thanks to a tip the 21-year veteran had given Davis only a day earlier. Davis went 4-for-5, including a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning, as the Rangers edged Arizona 9-8 and left Chase Field with a second consecutive victory. "It definitely felt good to swing the bat well and do it throughout the game," said Davis, ..."

Padilla to the rescue: Texas Rangers end losing skid

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June 25

Dallas Morning News

"The likelihood that the Rangers would break out of their June slump against Dan Haren was remote, so once again Wednesday night they needed a strong pitching performance. Cue right-hander Vicente Padilla, who only three weeks ago was riding baseball's waiver wire but outdueled Haren as the Rangers snapped their five-game losing streak. Padilla allowed a run on six hits in seven strong innings, and Frank Francisco and C.J. Wilson preserved the lead with a scoreless inning apiece as the Rangers edged Arizona, 2-1, at Chase Field. Each time Padilla (6-3) needed to make a pitch in a key spot, he did so. After allowing a run in the fifth, he pitched around a one-out triple by striking out ..."

Shoulder surgery for Webb looking likely

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June 24

Arizona Republic

"Shoulder surgery appears to be a strong possibility for Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb, who on Tuesday underwent his second MRI in the past week and met later in the day with team physician Dr. Michael Lee. "We met and discussed options," General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "Everyone wants to be sure he takes the right course of action." One possibility appears to be surgery to repair his labrum, a procedure that would require a nine-month rehab process. But a decision has not been made as Webb is expected to seek a second opinion this week. Webb flew home to Phoenix from Kansas City on Thursday, where he felt stiffness in his shoulder while playing catch, and on Friday, he ..."

D-backs unsure if Webb will pitch in '09

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June 24

MLB.com

"The D-backs are still trying to determine if starter Brandon Webb's right shoulder will be healthy enough for him to pitch this season. "The priorities have shifted to making sure we know everything about his health, everything about what is causing his pain," D-backs manager A.J. Hinch said. "Up to this point, we've done everything we can to alleviate that. We thought we cleared a hurdle. His health is priority No. 1. [Webb] pitching in 2009 is a distant second until we know about him physically." Webb had an MRI exam on his shoulder Tuesday and was evaluated by team doctor Michael Lee to determine the next course of action. The 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner has been on the ..."

D-Backs' bats come alive in win

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June 24

Arizona Republic

"Although it's hard to believe, this Diamondbacks season hasn't been all gloom and doom. An encouraging sign has developed in right field, where Justin Upton continues his rapid ascension from young player to rising star. More proof exploded from the 21-year-old's bat Tuesday night, as Upton slugged a two-run home run and a two-out, run-scoring double to fuel the Diamondbacks' 8-2 win over the slumping Texas Rangers. Was it a must win? Well, at this point, aren't they all? The Diamondbacks had lost three in a row and nine of 13, which put them in a 17-game hole in the National League West, their largest deficit since finishing the 2004 season 42 games back. But winning streaks have to ..."

Hitting amiss, Texas Rangersfifth straight

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June 24

Dallas Morning News

"Each hitter on the Rangers' roster got an individual meeting with Rudy Jaramillo on Tuesday before the start of a three-game series against Arizona. The hitting coach told them how they should approach Diamondbacks right-hander Max Scherzer and told them to apply it during early batting practice. But Jaramillo learned long ago that practice doesn't always carry over into game situations when a team is struggling. The Rangers haven't clicked all month at the plate, and even though they had eight hits Tuesday, they lost, 8-2, to extend their losing streak to five games. The Rangers have matched their longest losing streak of the season. Things won't be any easier tonight as Dan Haren, who ..."

Byrnes reluctantly mulls player moves

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June 23

MLB.com

"A few weeks ago, D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes was hesitant to talk about being a seller at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. "We've dug ourselves a little bit of a hole to start," Byrnes said at the time. "We've had a lot go wrong with injuries and guys not performing up to normal standards. Given that, I think we certainly want to give it some time, play better and then determine deeper into the season, to the extent that we make any trades, are they geared towards 2009 or are they geared towards the long term?" Last week in Kansas City, Byrnes certainly sounded like someone who had come face to face with reality. "It's the middle of June and we're 10 games under .500, so I ..."

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