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On April 22, the Baltimore Orioles have announced that pitcher Simon is out for season and will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in his elbow.

This is a big blow at an already thin rotation meaning that rookie pitcher Brad Bergesen will permanently stay in this starting rotation.

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs will call up pitcher Jeff Samardzija on Thursday to join the bullpen.

Sullivan speculates that the team could release Luis Vizcaino to make room for "The Shark."

Now, first of all, Paul Sullivan is a real dumb ass. But if this is true, it makes little sense.

First the Yankees lost Alex Rodriguez to a hip injury during Spring Training.  A team that relies entirely on consistency was heading into Opening Day with a gigantic disadvantage.  Then, it appeared disaster struck again.

In the midst of a game against the defending division champion Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees right fielder Xavier Nady launched a relay throw into the infield at Tropicana Stadium.  He instantly felt a sharp shot of pain, and was removed from the game. 

According to reports, Xavier Nady's previously "Tommy John" repaired right elbow popped when making a throw against the Rays in Tuesday night's game, and the surgery may need to be re-done keeping him out the remainder of the year.

Nady is a nice player. At worst, he is a top-fourth outfielder and excellent trade bait; at best Nady is a 280/25-30/100 producing corner outfielder.

I've heard many people say that his loss is a good thing in that it will insure Nick Swisher gets an everyday job.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired switch-hitting outfielder Delwyn Young from the Los Angeles Dodgers for either two unnamed minor league players or cash.

After returning from the disabled list, Young found himself buried on the Dodgers depth chart and has not recorded any playing time in 2009. The 5-foot-8 outfielder carries a .267 career average, but has been susceptible in the field.

There are no questions he can hit, though. With only 165 career at-bats, he just never found a place with the Dodgers.

Billy Wagner took his first step towards returning to the Major Leagues today by completing a 23-pitch bullpen session today in Port St. Lucie under the watchful eye of Guy Conti.

Conti, formerly the Mets bullpen coach-turned rehab coordinator, said Wagner was in “tremendous shape."

It is unknown when Wagner’s next bullpen session will be. However, Conti suggested that it would be contingent on how Wagner’s arm feels after throwing from a mound today.

Scott Podsednik agreed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox Tuesday, insurance for a team stretched thin in center field after Dewayne Wise was placed on the 15 day DL with a separated right shoulder.

Podsednik played with the White Sox from 2005 to 2007, helping the team to its first World Series since 1917.

Mark Fidrych put the Joy in Baseball

Baseball fans all over the country, including myself, immediately fell in love with "The Bird" in 1976. He was playful and goofy, without any hint of pretension. Fidrych put the fun in baseball; he was a big kid in a kid's game. One of the game's genuine characters, he simply captured our imaginations.

On the heels of Fred Lynn, Fidrych almost pulled off his own awards double-play; he was named Rookie of the Year and finished second to Jim Palmer in the Cy Young balloting.

It's been a tough week for baseball. A week that should make us stop and realize how precious life is.

"Live every day is if it were your last, and then one day you shall be right."

Only four days ago, the Major League family lost Anaheim rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart, who was killed in a deadly hit-and-run accident hours after making a stunning Major League debut.

Tonight, the family lost one of their most colorful characters when former All-Star pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych passed away in an apparent accident on his farm in Massachusetts. Fidrych was 54.