M.L.B. Live!

Live!
The Yankees edged out Toronto 5-4 this afternoon to pull into a tie for the Wild Card lead in the AL. Mariano Rivera struck out the side for the save. The call up of Joba Chamberlain is expected soon as Mike Myers was designated for assignment, and replaced with Jim Brower who recorded an out this afternoon.

In a sport where the refs have so much power on the impact of a game, the M.L.B. umps rejected having background checks calling the request a "knee jerk witch hunt" in response to the NBA referee scandal. I think that it'd be a good PR move for the umps to allow it, but it would obviously be an invasion of their privacy. The NFL already does it, and it appears that they'll be the only ones.

Alfonso Soriano got injured last night during Live, and will miss 2-4 weeks with a strained quad. Kerry Wood returned and pitched a scoreless inning for the Cubs, but the Cubbies lost 8-3.

Tom Glavine got his 300th win in that game, and is only the 5th lefty all time to achieve that feat.

Barry Bonds will try to break the record against Washignton against rookie John Lannan tonight (10pm ESPN2).

Buster Olney gave a report of the White Sox claiming Miguel Tejada off of waivers, but was pulled back as they were unable to work out a trade. Mike Piazza was placed on waivers and cleared through, so he can be dealt. The St Louis Post Dispatch reports that Jim Edmonds would be open to a trade if it helps the Cards out. Bobby Kielty is weighing his options, but he's likely to sign with Boston. He's gotten offers from the Red Sox, Yankees, D-Backs, and Astros are all interested according to the Boston Herald. A fairly large roster shuffle could happen to the Reds by tomorrow, says the Cincinnati Inquirer.

After giving up 755, Clay Hensley was optioned to AAA by the Padres. The Cubs brought up prospect Eric Patterson to replace Soriano, and Wade Miller was released. Melvin Mora was activated from the shelf, and he may be dealt according to scouts.

On tap for tonight, Justin Verlander tries to get Detroit back on track against the Rays, and Cleveland finishes a big series in Minnesota. Curt Schilling makes his return in Anaheim against Jered Weaver. David Wells and the Padres are in St Louis (7pm ESPN), and Rich Hill and the Cubs start a series in Houston. Milwaukee starts a series against the Rockies, followed by Bonds against the Nats.

Today in the minor leagues, AJ Burnett struck out 7 in 5 innings as AAA Syracuse edged Ottawa 5-4 in 13 innings.