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.

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.

We Are All Made of All-Stars  —  Report from Pittsburgh  —  PITTSBURGH - There's Derek Jeter.  David Ortiz is hiding behind his rock star sunglasses.  No one knows who Gary Matthews Jr. is until they belatedly put up a sign with his name behind the table.  Alex Rodriguez, Lance Berkman, Ryan Howard—they're all here.

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.

Zambrano hit by bat, misses ASG  —  X-rays negative after freak injury during batting practice  —  PITTSBURGH — What could be worse for Cubs fans than ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano not being used in Tuesday's All-Star Game?  The reason why.  —  In a bizarre accident …

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.

Reds Blogger Roundtable, July '06  —  I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend the Reds' Bloggers' Mid-Season Roundtable discussion on Monday night.  There were eight participants, and each of us has been allocated one section of the chat log to post on our blogs.  I got section VII.

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.

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.

Canseco pumped for steroid probe  —  Jose Canseco, baseball's most famous whistleblower, took his turn before Mitchell investigation attorneys on Tuesday, giving up more names and making an offer the inquisitors probably didn't expect: He wants to go to work for them.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Say It Ain't Steroids  —  Kansas City's Chris Mihlfeld struggles to keep his name out of baseball's steroids witch hunt  —  One out, top of the second.  Inside the immaculate fortress that is the new Busch Stadium, Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez pulls a pitch toward first.