Countdown to the Deadline: 10 Days- Injury Updates, Rumors, Links, & More!

A lot of talk, not a lot of action so far this July. Will any big moves be made before the July 31st deadline??

Let's Recap
Before we move on to the new stuff, let's take a look at what we've learned so far today. Click for link to Phil's posts from today:
-Cubs interested in Grabow
- Piniella want left handed hitting
-Today's Halladay rumors
-Steven Strasburg Update
-Lee probably won't be traded
-M's DFA Josh Wilson
-Phillies interested in Josh Willingham
-Yankees DFA Brett Tomko
- Jon Heyman Updates
-Rosenthal on the Phillies
- Olney Updates
-Qualls Sweepstakes

Wakefield to the DL
Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has been placed on the DL with a twinge in his lower back. The 42-year old is eligible to be activated on Aug. 2. Clay Buchholtz was recalled from AAA Pawtucket to take the spot on the roster.

Berkman Scratched
A strained calf will sideline Astros slugger Lance Berkman for a few days. He had an MRI, and is available to pinch hit, but will not start.

Mets Simulated Games
Shortstop Jose Reyes had a pair of hits, and pitcher John Main tossed 65 pitches in simulated games for the Mets in Port St. Lucie this afternoon. No timetable is set for either player's return.

Martinez feels Good
Phillies RHP Pedro Martinez has taken the next step towards his return. He tossed 64 pitches, 4 innings, in a simulated game today. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was on hand to watch Pedro pitch and thought he pitched well. Martinez is doing his rehab in Clearwater, FL.

Aurilia to DL
The Giants have placed Rich Aurilia on the 15 day DL with a right big toe infection. The Giants made several other roster moves: Kevin Frandsen optioned to AAA, Matt Downs recalled, and Ryan Sadowski recalled from Class A San Jose. The Giants are trying to get some offense going.

White Sox and Mets Deadline Updates
White Sox GM Kenny Williams is hinting that money being a bit of issue. and there is the a possibility that reliever Tony Pena holds up as the only White Sox Trade Deadline acquisition. All Mets GM Omar Minaya will say is that the Mets are buyers, but he won't comment on any rumors.

Kendrick Staying with Phils
The Philadelphia Phillies are not looking to move top prospect pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick was scratched from today's start with AAA, but it had nothing to do with the Trade Deadline according to Phillies assistant GM Chuck LaMar.

That's it for now, stay tuned to MLB Corner for all the latest as always.

Halladay Rumors

Halladay Rumors:

9:24 PM: David Lennon reports the Mets and Jays never reached a point of a concrete offer, nor does he expect a push for Halladay.

6:55 PM: Joe Strauss is reporting with the following "Source: Cards 'still in the mix' for Halladay."

4:55 PM: Ricciardi told Bob Elliott that "it's unlikely Halladay will be dealt."

1:45 PM: Phillies have enough talent to obtain Halladay without including Kyle Drabek; writes Todd Zolecki.

1:06 PM: Buster Olney says the Phillies should overpay for Roy Halladay because he is perfect for them "in every way possible."

11:44 PM: Jon Heyman hears from a friend that Halladay is "emotionally gone," and would approve a deal.

11:35 AM: Ricciardi told Jack Curry of the New York Times that he won't trade Halladay at the last minute, Jays are considering a July 28th deadline for Halladay. He also states that he receives "a new call from another team every day."

10:55 AM: Joel Sherman talked to a Jays official, who said that the Yankees and Mets are no serious treats for Halladay. The official also states that the Jays proposed trade given to the Mets was completely false.

10:00 AM: Matt Cerrone of Metsblog, heard from four baseball people who all believe Omar Minaya would have agreed to deal Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada for Halladay. But would Halladay?

• Ken Rosenthal says that the Phillies are exploring other options then Roy Halladay.
• The Brewers, Giants, Phillies, and Dodgers are still "kicking the tires as talks ebb and flow;" writes Mike Rutsey.
• Expect a trade this off-season with Halladay; writes Joey Fosko.
  

Cubs Interested in John Grabow

According to Bruce Levine; The Cubs are looking for bullpen help via a trade, according to Major League Baseball sources.The Cubs would like to add another left-handed pitcher to their bullpen. Pirate's pitcher John Grabow has been talked upon between teams.

Grabow has a 1.36 ERA in 42 2/3 innings with 24 walks and 37 strikeouts, while allowing 3 home runs.

Piniella Wants Lefty hitter with power

Carrie Muskat writes; "The only thing I talked about last season," Piniella said Tuesday, "was a need for a left-hand bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup who could hit the ball for power and drive in some runs. Look at our production last year, and it was mainly from the right side. We didn't bring [Jim] Edmonds back and he hit quite a few home runs.

"We needed a left-hand bat, that's it," Piniella said. "That was what I mentioned, that we could use a nice productive left-hand bat in the middle of our right-hand hitting."

Stephen Strasburg update

ESPN is reporting that the Nationals are not close to signing young Phenom Stephen Strasburg. It will be an interesting month until the 17 of August.

The San Diego State right-hander went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA last season and won the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the United States. He is widely regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in years.

Gammons: Lee Probably want be Traded.

Peter Gammons; Indians won't trade Cliff Lee unless their overwhelmed with a pitching infested package.

According to Gammons, "[Indians GM Mark] Shapiro wants a major league-ready young starter that can go into the second or third hole in the rotation." In addition, Gammons said, "He wants a couple of other young players."

M's to DFA Josh Wilson

The Mariners are about to designate utility man Josh Wilson for assignment to make room for Mike Sweeney, according to Ryan Divish.

Phillies Interested In Josh Willingham

Chuck Hixson is reporting that the Phillies are interested in Josh Willingham. The 30-year-old outfielder makes under $3MM, as he's played some first base, both corner outfield positions and catcher. Kyle Kendrick could be traded for Willingham, pure speculation though.

Yankees DFA Brett Tomko

According to Marc Carig; the Yankees designated pitcher Brett Tomko for assignment. The 36-year old veteran, had a 5.23 ERA in 21 innings.

Jon Heyman on Hallday, Lee

Jon Heyman hears that the Phillies won't include prospect Kyle Drabek in a package for Roy Halladay. If they haven't informed the Jays, there about to.

• Heyman says that the Mets Fernando Martinez was the deal breaker for Halladay.
  
• The Angels and Red Sox appear unlikely to part with their young prospects for Halladay.
• One Jays person believes it's unlikely they deal their ace at all.
  
• The Indians are open to dealing Cliff Lee, who doesn't have a no-trade clause.
  
• Some Indian officials believe the team is willing to move Victor Martinez over Lee for young pitching.
  
• The Rockies have considered pursuing Chad Qualls, George Sherrill, Danys Baez and Takashi Saito.
  

Ken Rosenthal on the Phillies

Ken Rosenthal states that the Phillies might find Cliff Lee more appealing then Roy Halladay, while Cliff makes 11.5 million through 2010, Halladay makes over 20 million through 2010. Rosenthal states that the Phils could package rookie standout J.A. Happ with Carlos Carrasco and Dominic Brown to get the Indians' attention.

Buster Olney: Prior, Garcia, White Sox, Jack Wilson

Buster Olney, senior writer for ESPN:

• Mark Prior isn't close to returning to the Padres Major League team.
  
• George Sherrill, wants to remain an O. Other teams are baffled about his asking price.
  
• Dodgers are looking for bullpen help.
• Angels still want Halladay.
• Braves are not prepared to trade Javier Vazquez.
  
• Tigers are unlikely to make a trade.
• Jack Wilson still has interest in negotiating a new contract, in which he'll take a great pay cut.
• Rangers could discuss trading Hank Blalock.
  
• Freddie Garcia impressed the White Sox with a bullpen session.
  
• Chien-Ming Wang suffered a setback.
  

Qaulls Sweepstakes

According to Nick Piecoro, he hears that nearly half the teams have asked about the him. The Diamondback are not interested in moving Chad Qualls but if a deal comes across they'll take it, especially with young starting pitching.