Lester to debut tomorrow  —  Rookie lefty will start vs. Rangers  —  NEW YORK — Once last night's game started, it was clear Jon Lester, the most celebrated Red Sox lefthanded prospect since Bruce Hurst, was going to make his major league debut in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

Finally, let's use common sense  —  Maybe now we can discuss steroids and performance-enhancing drugs intelligently, rationally and without demonizing the users in the sports world.  Maybe Jason Grimsley, a mediocre, journeyman major league pitcher, can do what Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti, two former All-Stars and MVPs, couldn't do.

Soriano Keeps Nats Running  —  There is a generations-old image of what a leadoff man should look like, how he should hit, what pitches he should take and at which ones he should swing.  At various points, the Washington Nationals wanted men named Endy Chavez and Brandon Watson …

Arizona Sees a Hernández It Didn't Know Before Trade  —  PHOENIX, June 8 - The Arizona Diamondbacks spent seven weeks of spring training getting acquainted with Orlando Hernandez, their new teammate, and another seven weeks learning his quirks and habits.  —  That familiarity yielded a whole lot of nothing Thursday night.

Sheffield likely out until September  —  Yankees right fielder to undergo surgery on left wrist  —  NEW YORK — With Hideki Matsui out until September with a fractured wrist, the Yankees were hopeful that therapy would be enough to get Gary Sheffield and his ailing wrist back on the field before too long.

Cards trade talks have intensified  —  The day after his replacement first baseman detected a "flat" aftertaste to the Cardinals' three-game sweep by the Cincinnati Reds, general manager Walt Jocketty confirmed Thursday the club has accelerated its search for another hitter to support …

Injuries dim A's victory Harden back on DL, Crosby hurt  —  Cleveland — Oakland's optimism as players began to trickle back from the disabled list is over.  Thursday, before the team's 4-1 victory over the Indians, the A's placed one of their most important players back onto the DL …

Cordero is finally coming around  —  Former closer has momentum back on his side  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Francisco Cordero's confidence is up and his ERA is down.  —  Cordero pitched in pressure-packed, late-game situations Tuesday and Wednesday nights and responded with two saves.

Younger Papelbon aims to beat odds  —  Drafted in 48th round, brother of Sox closer has plenty of desire  —  NEW YORK — In a way, it couldn't be more fitting that Josh Papelbon was taken at pick No. 1,443 (and round 48) in the First-Year Player Draft by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Giants accept gift-wrapped win, thank you  —  San Francisco prevails in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Anybody suspecting that the Giants might be leading a charmed life should refer to their charmless 5-4 victory Thursday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Agent has vested interest  —  Agent Matt Sosnick represents several key Marlins players, including four-fifths of the rotation.  —  cspencer@MiamiHerald.com  —  SAN FRANCISCO - It's nothing personal.  —  ''I love Brian Moehler,'' Matt Sosnick said.  ``He's a great guy.''

Royals put on rally caps  —  KC overcomes seven-run deficit in its 16-12 victory over the Rangers.  —  Sure, Dayton Moore probably ought to wait a few more games before drawing any immediate conclusions.  —  But, admit it, the Royals welcomed their new general manager …

Marlins' Uggla doubles as a power hitter  —  SAN DIEGO — Hitters with power generally don't hit home runs by accident.  Dan Uggla is among the exceptions.  —  He put two in the AT&T Park left-field bleachers Wednesday without even trying.  The same can be said for the other seven he has hit …

Moore looks to model KC around Atlanta  —  GM aims to turn Royals into contender like Braves of early '90s  —  KANSAS CITY — John Schuerholz once got it done in Kansas City.  Now it's up to Dayton Moore, a Schuerholz protégé, to show he can do it, too.