Dodgers Reel in Andruw Jones

(NEWSER) - Manny Ramirez will be back with the Los Angeles Dodgers for at least a year after contentious contract negotiations, the Los Angeles Times reports. The 37-year-old slugger, pending a physical, will sign a $45 million contract for 2 years, with an opt-out clause after the first year and a $25 million payout. “I know how people treated me in LA,” Ramirez said. “And I want to thank them.” The deal includes a no-trade clause. More»

(NEWSER) - Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent and Gary Bennett homered during a six-run seventh inning, leading Chad Billingsley and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 yesterday. After Jones and Kent hit solo shots, Bennett capped the burst with a three-run homer. Billingsley (3-5) didn't allow a hit until Brewers starter Ben Sheets, a career .078 hitter, singled with two outs in the fifth. More»

James returns from minors to pick up his first victory

(NEWSER) - Chuck James did a good impression of Tom Glavine. Just hours after coming back from the minors, James allowed one run in five innings and the Atlanta bullpen shut down the Dodgers, leading the Braves past Los Angeles 4-1 today for their third straight victory. Mark Teixeira's two-run single highlighted a four-run fifth that accounted for all the Atlanta scoring and handed James (1-1) the win. More»

But MLB doesn't move to seize woeful team

(NEWSER) - Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig gave Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt a major league headache today after putting the kibosh on a proposed TV deal between the Dodgers and Fox—and simultaneously squashing McCourt's divorce deal from Jamie McCourt. Selig said the deal was "structured to facilitate the further diversion of Dodgers assets for the personal needs of Mr McCourt." Under the deal, $173.5 million of the upfront money would have gone to the McCourts and their lawyers, notes the LA Times. More»

Girl undergoes surgery; Dodgers' Martin offers to pay

(NEWSER) - A 3-year-old girl underwent surgery today to repair a skull fracture suffered when a line drive screamed into the Dodger Stadium stands. Dodgers catcher Russell Martin smacked the ball past third base at about 5:30 last night, the LA Times reports. Her father was seen carrying her unresponsive body to a first aid station, while a tearful Martin looked on and shook his head. He has offered to pay the child's medical expenses. More»