MLB Bullets Is Going To Be Suspended

BOISE, ID -- Even though the Hawks are gone, I'm still here. I'll head back in a couple days.

• We're back to talking about the Biogenesis Scandal, as an ESPN report last night said that MLB would announce suspensions sometime after the All-Star Break. Now, "sometime after the All-Star Break" is a wide period of time, and MLB denied the ESPN report, saying that they were "still in the midst of an active investigation."
• In any case, both ESPN and now Yahoo! confirm that Ryan Braun refused to talk to MLB investigators. Jeff Passan of Yahoo! thinks that for someone who keeps saying he has nothing to hide, Braun is acting like someone who is hiding something.
• MLB is scheduled to interview Alex Rodriguez on Friday in connection to the scandal.
• Scandal or not, A-Rod is awfully popular with his minor league teammates.
• Matthew Pouliot wonders what happens after MLB announces suspensions in the Biogenesis scandal.He thinks that its unlikely any of the suspensions will be served this season.
• Michael Hunt thinks the accusations against Braun put Brewers fans in a difficult position.
• Speaking of someone who's already been suspended, Manny Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a home run for Round Rock.
• It doesn't make much sense that Bartolo Colon is having perhaps the best season of his career at age 40, but let's just enjoy the ride anyway.
• The Athletics are calling Sonny Gray up from Triple-A Sacramento. He'll pitch out of the bullpen in Oakland.
• Danny Knobler says that fans who think the hitting coach is the problem are wrong. So he's pretty embarrassed to say that George Brett has made a huge difference in the Royals turnaround.
• Speaking of Brett, here's five fun facts about the Pine Tar Game. Did you know Don Mattingly played second base?
• Rob Neyer thinks that Greg Holland is the best pitcher no one has ever heard of.
• Teams will start calling the Rockies about Michael Cuddyer, writes Ken Rosenthal.
• The Rockies acquired Mitchell Boggs for international cap space, which I believe is the first deal for cap space that didn't involve the Cubs.
• Phillies management was unhappy with the team clowning around during a 13-4 loss to Atlanta.
• Michael Baumann writes Ryan Howard's obituary, as least as far as baseball is concerned. I don't think Howard is actually dead. It is hard to tell sometimes.
• Matt Kemp got an injection of platlet-rich-plasma for his injured shoulder. That is never a good sign, as it's usually the last resort before surgery.
• David Schoenfield thinks the Dodgers aren't going to make the playoffs without Kemp.
• The Red Sox need a day off.
• The Marlins can't sell tickets to see their team, so they've resorted to "special" promotions to see players on the visiting team.
• Padres President and CEO Tom Garfinkel has resigned. He was temporarily kept on after the new ownership group took over.
• Justin and B.J. Upton's reunion in Atlanta hasn't been a happy story so far. Except for that whole Braves being in first place anyway thing. But in case you haven't noticed, Justin hasn't been very good since April either.
• Manny Machado is the best defensive player in the majors, at least according to some metrics. Oh, and he can hit a little, too.
• Brandon Belt did not have the worst game ever with his 0 for 8 with five strikeouts Monday night. But it was close
• Nick Swisher learns that you should always run out the play.
• I'm not a Black Keys fan, although I don't change the channel when they come on the radio, so I guess that's a compliment. But I may have to become one after the band decided to sponsor a Little League team in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. The jerseys are naturally collectors items, already. Or at least they would be if the team wasn't currently using them.
• Finally, be sure to check out this SBNation article by Jorge Arangure Jr. on Brooklyn's Zorrilla Baseball League, where former professionals, mostly Dominicans, play for the love of the game. Especially since it is just a game for them now, rather than a job.

And as always, tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.