MLB Rangers TV play-by-play announcer Dave Barnett yesterday in a statement said he "is expected to miss the rest of the season because of medical concerns." In Ft. Worth, Drew Davison notes Barnett has been "undergoing medical tests said to be related to recurring migraine headaches since an on-air lapse" June 18. He "did not specify any diagnosis in the statement." Steve Busby, who was working with Eric Nadel on Rangers' radio broadcasts, "has filled in for Barnett and will remain in that role the rest of the season." Matt Hicks, who joined the radio team "over the weekend after being hired away indefinitely from the Double A Corpus Christi franchise co-owned by Nolan Ryan, will continue to work with Nadel" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELGRAM, 7/3).
NO RETURN DATE FOR SUTTON: In Phoenix, Scott Bordow notes D'Backs TV play-by-play announcer Daron Sutton will "remain on suspension for this current home stand, which runs through Sunday." D'Backs Senior VP/Communications Josh Rawitch said that Sutton "will not broadcast any of the club's remaining games heading into the All-Star break." Rawitch "declined to say whether Sutton would return following the All-Star break." Bordow notes Sutton "has not called any of the team's games since June 21." He reportedly had "run-ins with team management, including a disagreement regarding his wardrobe" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/3).
SOCIAL GAMES: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Stuart Kemp noted BBC Sport "has linked up with Facebook to launch an application on the social network that will offer audiences live streams of major sports events, including the current Wimbledon tennis tournament and up to 24 streams of Olympics coverage." It is the "first time the British broadcaster has live streamed events on Facebook." A beta version of the app "launched Friday for Wimbledon, offering the BBC's TV coverage plus up to six extra match streams from across the courts, as well as comment threads and sharing features." BBC Sport said that live chat functionality "will be added in time for the Olympics" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 6/29).
HEADING TO THE 19TH HOLE: The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin reported golf reporter Lorne Rubenstein will retire following this month's PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open. Rubenstein has spent the last 32 years with the Globe & Mail (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/2).
