Indians Pitcher Receives Home Pot Delivery

Poor Indians manager Terry Francona. He probably thought his own misguided dependence on chewing tobacco was the most he had to worry about. It turns out that one of his pitchers, Chris Perez, has been cited for receiving a "significant" amount of marijuana at his house. No arrest has been made, but it looks like the 27-year old will have some explaining to do to Tito, the Indians and MLB. Perez has been on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. The Cleveland closer has posted a 4.32 ERA so far this year. This could be the first case of performance-decreasing drug abuse.

MLB Players Association Will 'Interview' Players

Michael Weiner, the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association issued a formal statement on the reports of possible suspensions in connection with the Biogenisis Clinic in Florida. Essentially, Weiner said that the MLBPA will "interview" all the players named by the Commissioner's Office and that every player will be represented by an MLBPA Lawyer. Here is the full text of the union's statement: "The Players Association has been in regular contact with the Commissioner's Office regarding the Biogenesis investigation. They are in the process of interviewing players, and every player has been or will be represented by an attorney from the Players Association. The Commissioner's Office has assured us that no decisions regarding discipline have been made or will be made until those interviews are completed. It would be unfortunate if anyone prejudged those investigations. The Players Association has every interest in both defending the rights of players and in defending the integrity of our joint program. We trust that the Commissioner's Office shares these interests."

Gammons: Sox May Take First Baseman In Draft

Dominic Smith's Sweet Swing

While most pundits (including us) have pointed to either OF Clint Frazier or 3B Colin Moran as the likely Red Sox pick in tomorrow's draft, Hall of Famer Peter Gammons has raised another possibility. Dominic Smith of Gardena, California's Serra High School has been rated as the #1 Prep School Prospect in the Golden State. The 6', 195-pound first baseman has been clocked at 6.89 in the 60-yard dash, has a rocket arm and can be projected to play a corner outfield spot as well. A potential franchise-type player at only 18, Smith is said to have James Loney-like defensive skills with a lot more power—and a Red Sox-obsessed plate discipline. The rumor is that the Blue Jays—who pick after the Sox at #10—are poised to draft Smith. Look for Ben Cherington to possibly scoop his AL East rivals and get one of the best athletes in the entire draft with the #7 pick tomorrow.

Empire Connections Abound On Biogenesis List

Well, well, well. Let's see: Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, and Robinson Cano have all been named in reports of potential suspensions for association with the disgraced Biogenesis Clinic in Florida. To be fair, Cano's connection is somewhat nebulous (the spokeswoman for his charitable foundation is on the clinic list), but do the above names have any commonalities you can think of? Come on, you can do it. Anything? Anything? Bueller? Bingo, Bronx Breath.

Red Sox Hopeful To Get The Injured Back Soon

Need to go on the Red Sox disabled list? Take a number, buddy. Boston is trying to avoid further clogging the DL by cautiously nursing a series of injuries to key players. Jacoby Ellsbury could return to the lineup as early as tonight from a "tight groin" that has kept him out since last Friday. Shane Vicrtorino is at "80 percent" after doing sprints in the outfield before Tuesday's game. Will Middlebrooks—who is actually on the DL—started his rehab assignment in AAA last night and is eligible to be activated on Saturday. Of course, when these players return, it begs the question: How do you sit the red-hot Jose Iglesias and Jackie Bradley Jr.? Last night, the pair—the core of the 'Future Fenway Fraternaty'—went a combined 3 for 10 with 5 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a HR. To paraphrase 'On The Waterfront's Terry Malloy, it may be another 'one-way ticket to Pawtucket-ville' for Bradley, although Iglesias might have finally hit his way onto the roster as a utility guy.

MLB Plans To Suspend A-Rod, Braun, 18 Others

According to a report by ESPN's Outside The Lines, Major League Baseball is prepared to call for the suspension of up to 20 players—including Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun for as many as 100 games—in the ongoing probe of the defunct Biogenesis Clinic is Florida. If the suspensions go through on the 20 or so players, it will constitute the biggest PED scandal in U. S. sports history. Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch is 'dropping dimes' on the players after agreeing to cooperate with MLB's investigation. If any players contest the charges, a circus-like court process could ensue, with witnesses being called to testify. Aside from the names listed by ESPN (see graphic), there is also speculation that Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano may be connected to the clinic through one or more intermediaries. So far at least, no Red Sox players have been named. Stay tuned, folks!

No Chainsaw Needed; Sox Obliterate Texas, 17-5

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

If you look closely at the scoreboard in our new FN masthead, you'll see it shows Texas scoring 5 runs in the top of the first inning. Well, Texas scored five runs tonight as well—unfortunately for them, the Red Sox bested them by 12. Boston walloped 19 hits—12 of them for extra bases—in a 17-5 romp over the Rangers tonight at Fenway. The Carmine Hose hit for a 'team cycle' in the second, but failed to score in the eighth, preventing them from becoming only the 14th MLB team to score in every inning of a game. Where do we start? How about home runs? They were clouted by Jackie Bradley, Jr. (his first ever), Stephen Drew, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mike Carp. Drew was 4-5 with 2 RBIs raising his season average to .232. Jose Iglesias had two more hits and is now hitting .431 on the year. Daniel Nava, Carp, and Saltalamacchia each had three hits. Ryan Dempster was the beneficiary of this onslaught—going seven solid innings and giving up three earned runs.

BREAKING: MLB May Suspend A-Rod

ESPN is reporting that MLB may suspend A-Rod, Ryan Braun and up to 18 other players for involvement with the Biogenesis Clinic in Florida. Stay tuned for more details. 

Empire's Steinbrenner 'Disappointed' In A-Rod

STORMS MEDIA GROUP

File this one under, "Dawn Breaks On Marblehead". Yankee half-owner Hal Steinbrenner admitted on Monday that his organization has been "disappointed" in Alex Rodriguez. After making the comments, Steinbrenner apparently started channeling R.E.M's Michael Stipe, "But look, everybody's human and everybody makes mistakes. If you've got a guy over the course of 10 years, there's going to be times any of us make mistakes." Wow, what compassion! Why can't we get owners like that? The Fraudulent One is still taking his rehab talents to Florida—beginning "agility drills" yesterday and running "hard" around the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa. Perfect.