Joey Gathright News

Season 41 for the Royals. The Royals obtained utility man Ryan Freel from the Cubs today for a player to be named later.

The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to terms with 16-year-old outfielder Wagner Mateo, considered to be among the top amateur free agents from Latin America.

Lou Piniella is not a dragon, but the Cubs manager proved he still has fire. The proof came in the sixth inning Wednesday in Pittsburgh, when Piniella sprang out of the dugout and argued with first-base umpire Chad Fairchild after a close play at the bag.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies for minor league right-handed pitcher Al Alburquerque and designated infielder Ryan Freel for assignment.

Milton Bradley had one bright moment, a nice sliding catch of a Chris Getz line drive in the 5th.

Didna t anyone tell Milton Bradley that the first rule of fight club is that you dona t talk about fight club? One day after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, beating a helpless Gatorade machine and yelling at his manager, Milton today said that Lou called him a a oepiece of [expletive].a Nice.

Ryan Freel #4 of the Chicago Cubs takes a swing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 27, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

IN THIS ISSUE Optioned RHP Jeff Samardzija to Iowa ; purchased the contract of RHP Chad Fox from Iowa.

Each day Tom Ricketts and his family haggle with Cubs owner Sam Zell -- and the bargaining on both sides continues with little progress in sealing a deal -- it nudges general manager Jim Hendry that much closer to the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline without a green light from his bosses.

Chicago Cubs infielder Ryan Freel was forced to leave Wednesday's 5-2 win against Pittsburgh with a strained left hamstring.

When Jim Miller induced Wilkin Castillo to swing and miss at the final pitch of the night Tuesday, he picked up his 10th save.

Do they make Viagra for baseball bats? Can it improve performance? If so, the Cubs had better start taking it.

May, so far, has been a good one for the Cubs. Even with Sunday's loss, the Cubs are 11-4 this month.

Chris Tillman struck out 10 in six shutout innings of the Norfolk Tides' 9-1 win over the Syracuse Chiefs on Tuesday night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Thirty-six games into the Royals' season who is better off with Coco Crisp in Kansas City? This story has three viewpoints the Red Sox, Royals and Crisps... by Craig Shorey 11 reads Opinion Thirty-six games into the Royals' season who is better off with Coco Crisp in Kansas City? This story has three viewpoints the Red Sox, Royals and Crisps.

Sam Fuld insinuated you have to be half-crazed to play center field. "Maybe it's a stupid mindset, I don't know, but I don't think about crashing into the wall at all," the Iowa Cubs' wall-crashing center fielder said.

When it rains, it pours, and it's pouring on the Chicago Cubs. As if the growing list of injuries wasn't bad enough, newly acquired Ryan Freel wound up a late scratch on Saturday after appearing on the initial lineup card at third base, batting eighth.

Catcher Shawn Riggans hoped to return to the major leagues Sunday after a rehab stay with the Biscuits.

After firing Bob Melvin, the Arizona Diamondbacks have turned to a 34-year-old former catcher with no managing experience.

Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports is reporting that the Cubs and Orioles are talking about a possible deal for disgruntled utility man Ryan Freel.