Upton moved to third in Triple-A  —  Touted prospect could be called up within weeks  —  ST. PETERSBURG — B.J. Upton is making what the Devil Rays are calling a "short-term move" to third base and could be seen at the hot corner at Tropicana Field within the coming weeks.

Ponson will be cut loose  —  Rebuffed in attempts to trade Sidney Ponson, the Cardinals are expected to officially part ways today with the pitcher.  —  Ponson, designated for assignment Friday hours after making a quality start in a loss against the Houston Astros, is due to clear release waivers this afternoon, according to sources.

Selig wants pitchers rested  —  Proposes ban for All-Star hurlers Sunday before game  —  PITTSBURGH — While meeting with baseball writers Tuesday before the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bud Selig threw out a stunning proposal—banning All-Star Game pitchers from being used on the Sunday before the Midsummer Classic.

Dusty Baker safe — for now  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry ended the speculation about Dusty Baker's immediate future today by saying the manager is in no jeopardy of being replaced at the moment.  —  ``There's no truth to any of the speculation,'' Hendry said.

These Yanks, Mets ideas not half-bad  —  We're more than halfway through the baseball schedule, but more than half the fun remains.  —  For teams like the Yankees, fighting for their lives, each game takes on greater importance, as time to gain ground runs out.

Fox, TBS have seven-year, $3 billion TV deal with MLB  —  PITTSBURGH — First-round playoff games will be shown only on cable starting next season as part of baseball's new seven-year television deal with Fox and TBS, a total package worth almost $3 billion.

Report: Bonds friend is key witness against him  —  One of Barry Bonds' longtime friends is a key witness against him as the federal government ponders perjury or tax-evasion charges against the San Francisco Giants slugger, Bonds' lawyer told The New York Times.

TRADE WINDS  —  Moore is playing it cool, but a seller's market and a host of veterans could lead to some wheeling and dealing.  —  DETROIT |  - DETROIT |  The Royals and their fans are about to learn a lot about Dayton Moore, their new general manager, as baseball's rumor season hits its midsummer bloom after the All-Star break.

Quite a catch  —  Second baseman Jamey Carroll playing significant role in revival of Rockies … Jamey Carroll didn't go to the All-Star Game, but a case can be made that he was the Rockies' most valuable player in the first half.  —  At the very least, the 32-year-old second baseman …

Fenway for free  —  A sneak peek into how teens find the cheapest way to see Sox  —  There was a little blood spilled sneaking into Fenway Park to see the great Pedro Martínez pitch against his old pals last month.  —  ``It was worth it," says Josh Earle, a 16-year-old from Roslindale …

O's glass half-empty … Set to start the second half of the baseball season tonight, the Orioles are where most prognosticators expected them to be - in fourth place in the American League East, far removed from the playoff picture and on pace for a ninth straight losing season.

Man-sized mission for Sox  —  Health of pitchers, Thome will be key to 2nd-half success  —  PITTSBURGH — Now it's on to the second half, which Ozzie Guillen says "separates the kids from the men."  —  For the White Sox, defending World Series champions but two games behind the Detroit Tigers …

Adam Jones to the Majors  —  Ladies and Gentleman, your new starting centerfielder, Adam Jones.  —  The Mariners have been hyper-aggressive with promoting their prospects this year.  There isn't another club in the majors who is moving their young players through the system as quickly as the Mariners are.