Assorted News

Here I was saying that Ronnie Belliard was the most likely of the Nats on the trading block to be shipped out. Oops. The Nationals announced today that they've signed Belliard to a two-year extension! I'm not sure about the details of that deal, such as how much he's being played. I wonder if this makes him the new everyday second baseman? (Not that he hasn't been there most of the time this season anyway, with the injury to Guzman moving Felipe Lopez over to SS).

I don't mind the move though. Belliard has really come through with his bat for the Nationals. He's a veteran presence on a team with a lot of younger guys, and he's been slick overall in the field. Still a surprising move, at least on my end.

Not at all surprising is Padres catcher Michael Barrett being suspended one day after his suspension in Philadelphia. No word yet on if Barrett will appeal. He might as well serve now and get it over with. Doesn't Josh Bard usually catch Chris Young anyway?

Good and bad news for the Orioles! (Isn't that always the case?) Miguel Tejada has been medically cleared for a return to baseball. Tejada has been on the DL since June, when he was hit by a pitch in a game against the Padres. The DL stint snapped Tejada's streak of playing in 1,152 straight games. There's a chance that Tejada could be reactivated from the DL as early as this weekend's series against the Yankees.

Now, the bad news. Orioles closer Chris Ray is hurting and it doesn't seem to be getting better. Ray has reportedly been pitching with an elbow spur for some time now. An MRI revealed inflammation of his elbow. He'll throw a side session on Wednesday, and depending on those results the team will make a decision whether or not to put Ray on the DL.

Given all the issues with the bullpen this year for the Orioles, it's just one thing after all the others.

Final thing, with the Yankees. As expected, Bobby Abreu will be back in the line-up against Kansas City tonight. Johnny Damon will be the DH, and Shelley Duncan will be available off the bench. I know that decision has upset some fans, who like the energy Shelley brings to the team. But let's face it, if your choice is between having Shelley Duncan in the line-up or a healthy & hitting Johnny Damon in the line-up? You have to take Damon. Simple as that.

Cool thing: I went to one of the Yankee clubhouse stores in the city today (the W 49th St/7th Ave location). It was relatively small, but still a nice stop-off. I got a tank top and a new Yankee cap for my trip to Baltimore for Sunday afternoon's game. When I arrived, it was pretty quiet. Just me, another shopper, and the employees. But within a few minutes, the store was filled with a group of young Taiwanese tourists. They were obviously excited. A few of the girls broke out their digital cameras and took pictures of each other wearing Yankee gear. The most popular item? Any and all Chien-Ming Wang attire. It's always neat to see proof that the love for this team is a worldwide phenomenon.