Gary Carter, who is waging a courageous battle against brain cancer, found the strength to be with his team for their season opener. The Palm Beach Post writes: Around the edge of the warning track and back into the familiar buzz of the ballpark came Gary Carter on Thursday night, riding in the back of a golf cart some 10 minutes before the national anthem and smiling broadly at the thought of this special reunion with his Palm [...]

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, recovering from alcohol and drug addictions, had a relapse this week in his quest to remain sober. According to individuals familiar with the episode, Hamilton drank alcohol Monday night at Sherlock’s Pub & Grill in Dallas. Teammate Ian Kinsler also showed up at the bar for what appeared to be an attempt to persuade Hamilton to return to his home in Westlake. Hamilton, a four-time [...]

Atlanta Braves Tim Hudson Jair Jurrjens Tommy Hanson Brandon Beachy Mike Minor/Julio Teheran Miami Marlins Josh Johnson Mark Buehrle Ricky Nolasco Carlos Zambrano Anibal Sanchez New York Mets Johan Santana R.A. Dickey Jon Niese Mike Pelfrey Dillon Gee Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay Cliff Lee Cole Hamels Vance Worley Joe Blanton Washington Nationals Stephen Strasburg Gio Gonzalez Edwin Jackson Jordan Zimmermann Chien-Ming Wang

The Nationals have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. The right-hander flew to Washington today for his physical after which the deal should be officially announced by the team. Jon Heyman reports that deal is believed to be worth $8 million to $12 million dollars. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that the Nationals were targeting Jackson for a one-year deal and also says the Nationals are “aggressively [...]

As you all know by now, the New York Mets announced that Banner Day will return Sunday, May 27 prior to the Mets playing the San Diego Padres at 1:10 p.m. at Citi Field. Banner Day was a Mets tradition from 1963 to 1996 with fans of all ages parading on the field showing their homemade banners made with bed sheets that professed their love for the team, but do you know how it first [...]

One of the mainstays of a Mets’ summer will be returning this year, the 50th anniversary of the franchise. Banner Day will return May 27 to give you an opportunity to express your affection for your favorite players and memories, and yes, also a chance to editorialize on the direction of the team. Undoubtedly, there will be some censorship involved. With the way things have been going, how can there not be? However, I like [...]

According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, billionaire investment manager Steve Cohen, who  is set to become one of the $20 million minority investors in the New York Mets. The deal would not preclude Cohen from pursuing the Dodgers, according to two people familiar with the transaction but not authorized to discuss it. Shakin speculates that Cohen’s motivation in buying a 4 percent share of the Mets is to have a “more favorable position” [...]

Today was supposed to be the deadline that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig finalized the plans to expand the playoff structure to include two wild card teams. However, scheduling and logistics remain areas open for debate, which has halted the process. Still, if MLB agrees to expand the postseason, it increases each team’s chances by one spot. The two wild card teams would play a one-game playoff to see who advances to the Division Series. Where [...]

Here’s a couple of interesting notes from our NL East foes… Right-handed reliever Chad Qualls has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Qualls, 33, has made 512 appearances over the last seven years – the most in the majors. He gets a one-year deal worth $1.15 million and is expected to go at the head of the line to become the Phillies setup man for newly acquired closer Jonathan Papelbon. “We don’t have a [...]