Morning Papers

Loria tries to snuff out Willis, Cabrera rumors April 28 Palm Beach Post: "Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is a soft-spoken man, but when the topic turned to the future of his marquee players, Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, his voice boomed through the tunnels beneath Wrigley Field... Nevertheless, a Mets official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Newsday story about Willis was accurate." Tucker may replace Valentín April 28 New York Times (scroll down) (registration required): "The Mets signed outfielder Michael Tucker to a minor league contract Wednesday. Tucker, who will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., was released by the Nationals on March 30 and could be an eventual replacement for José Valentín, the Mets' primary left-handed hitting option off the bench." Mets can be table Turner April 28 New York Daily News: "The teams open another series tonight, this time in Atlanta, with the Mets ahead five games in the NL East standings, with Pedro Martinez on the mound against John Smoltz for the fifth time since last season began, and with the Braves reeling after getting swept in Milwaukee." Relief for Bannister April 28 New York Daily News: "An MRI of Brian Bannister's right hamstring revealed the lowest level of strain, not a significant tear, leading the rookie pitcher to hold out hope team brass might let him take his next scheduled start." Nady has become popular choice April 28 Newsday: "Everybody loves Xavier. That's hard to believe for someone who was traded for Mike Cameron, the most popular player in the Mets' clubhouse during his two-year stay."