“It would mean a lot—the hard work paid off,” said Lincecum, who missed last year’s Midsummer Classic because of an illness and was hospitalized. “If I do happen to start, it will make up for the fact I didn’t even make it to the field last year.

..Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn hit his 300th career home run on the 4th of July in the nations capital no less. It help the Nationals claim victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves 5-3. [AP]

..Top Cuban pitching prospect Arlodis Chapman who’s fastball hits the triple digits was last seen shortly after his team’s arrival in the Netherlands. He was seen crossing the hotel’s lobby, get into a car and hasn’t been seen since. He then failed to show up for their first game on Thursday.[USA Today]

“We are waiting for information. We do not know anything,” Carton told The Associated Press. “No one knows anything about what happened, if he is sick, died or left.”

..Yesterday saw the tragic death of Steve McNair, former NFL quarterback. What does this have to do with baseball you ask? He was once drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 35th round of the 1991 Draft as a shortstop. [Baseball Reference]

..It looks as though Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang is headed back to the disabled list. This time it’s for a shoulder strain with bursitis according to an MRI.  It’s looking like Sergio Mitre might be the one getting the call, as he’s been pitching well down in Triple A. [Lo-Hud]

..According to ESPN.com the Washington Nationals have designated relief pitcher Jesus Colome for assignment. Colome was 1-1 with a 8.40 ERA in 12 appearances. They now have 10 days to trade, release or outright him the minors. [ESPN]

..The Florida Marlins have placed reliever Chris Leroux on the 15 disabled list with an inflamed right shoulder. To fill the gap created in the roster the Marlins have gone out and signed reliever Brenden Donelly who had opted out of his contract with the Houston Astros earlier this season. [CBS]

..Texas Rangers team president Nolan Ryan says that there wont be any restrictions on spending towards the trade deadline if needed. You see, MLB loaned millions of dollars to team owner Tom Hicks who seems to be in some financial trouble. According to the report, it’s less than $15M. [AP]

“There haven’t been any restrictions put on us,” Ryan said. “I just think as we get closer to the trade deadline, we’ll see what we might be able to be put together. If we think it is in our best interest, then obviously we’ll take it to Tom.”

..The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Indians have designated veteran pitcher Matt Herges for assignment. This will free up a space on the roster for pitcher Winston Abreu whom they acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. [Plain Dealer]

..According to a Yahoo! Sports report, the Padres intend to extend manager Bud Blacks contract. No date for the extension has been announced – just that it’s going to happen soon. [Yahoo! Sports]

..According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times injured pitcher Erik Bedard threw a 54 pitch simulated game yesterday at Fenway and will make his return to the the rotation on Tuesday when the Mariners take on the Orioles. [Seattle Times]

..The Minnesota Twins have placed starting pitcher Kevin Slowey on the 15 day disabled list with a strained wrist following his start against the Tigers yesterday. The Indians have called up Anthony Swarzak to take Slowey’s spot in the rotation. [CBS]

..According to CBS Sports, Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Florida to start a spring training like strengthening program, he’s been on the DL since June 21st. [CBS]

“We’re going to really strengthen his shoulder and work on his whole body,” Boston manager Terry Francona said before Friday’s game against Seattle.

“He’s worked hard while we were gone [on a nine-game road trip] without a baseball,” said Francona, who wasn’t sure how long Matsuzaka will be in Florida. He said there is no timetable for his return to the Red Sox.

..It looks like outdoor baseball will return to the Twin Cities, when the Twins kick off the 2010 season at Target Field against the Boston Red Sox on April 12th. They open their season on the road against the Angels.[CBS]

“We’ll see how I wake up,” said Gonzalez, the Padres’ top hitter. “My body is kind of weird. Sometimes I feel something and I wake up the next morning and I feel great. Then sometimes I wake up and something aches that I didn’t feel the night before.

“Hopefully, going by my past, I will wake up and feel better.”

..After having surgery three weeks ago to repair a strained abdominal muscle, Texas Rangers All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton is getting closer to returning to to the big club. He’ll have another stint for Triple A Oklahoma City. Despite being on the DL, he’s still third in outfield voting for the 2009 Mid-Summer Classic. [AP]

“That’s been my target the whole time, to get back some time during the homestand,” Hamilton said Tuesday after working out with the Rangers. “If I do that, it will be a goal accomplished.”

…It’s official former Brave, Athletic and Washington National’s outfielder Ryan Langerhans has been added to Seattle’s major league roster. He takes the place of Adrian Beltre who will be out 6-8 weeks recovering from shoulder surgery. Langerhans came over in a trade with the Washington Nationals for INF/OF Mike Morse. [AP]

..If you missed it yesterday, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent yet another outfielder to another team. This time Pittsburgh send Nyjer Morgan to the Nationals in exchange for Lastings Milledge. Also they sent outfielder Eric Hinske to the New York Yankees. It’ll be interesting to see if Milledge straightens up his act in Pittsburgh, as we all know Lastings comes with some baggage. [AP]

..Speaking of the Nationals, to make room on their roster for Nyjer Morgan and pitcher Sean Burnett they have optioned outfielder Elija Dukes to Triple A Syracuse. [CBS]

..According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Braves are willing to part with shortstop Yunel Escobar for a good hitter. Sounds pretty random to me, but on the other hand the Braves could use another big bat in the middle of the order. [ESPN]

..Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has been placed on the 15 day disabled list. According to manager Terry Francona, Lowell is feeling fine and should be ready to come of the DL after the 15 days is up – which would make his return either shortly before or right after the All-Star break. [Boston Globe]

..The Milwaukee Brewers seem to be interested in pitcher Brandon Backe who was just recently designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. [Brew Beat]