Nats, Reds Make 8-Player Trade  —  With Eye on the Future, Washington Signals the Likelihood of More Deals  —  The Washington Nationals pulled off an eight-player trade with the Cincinnati Reds yesterday that exploded several of the most widespread assumptions about the franchise's direction under …

Jose not ready to play  —  CHICAGO - Jose Reyes, who got seven stitches to his left pinkie when he was spiked on a headfirst slide into first base last Friday, isn't ready to return to the lineup.  "I can't put my hand in the glove yet," said Reyes, who still has the stitches in his hand and some swelling in the area.

Notes: White Sox, Carlos Lee and more  —  White Sox general manager Ken Williams might be aggressive, but he isn't reckless.  So, discount any reports that he's willing to trade right-hander Brandon McCarthy and center fielder Brian Anderson to the Giants for right-hander Jason Schmidt.

Yankees add Ponson to help fill out rotation … Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who became a free agent when he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, has reached agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, ESPN.com has learned.  —  Ponson, 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 14 appearances with St. Louis this season …

Sox don't have 'A' game in extras  —  Oakland gets to Tavarez for pair in the 11th  —  The first single, bounced off the Green Monster, made about as much of an impression on the venerable Wall as it elicited a peep from the remainder of the 36,141 at Fenway Park as the clock drew toward midnight.

Mets' Bannister: Forgotten, but Not Gone  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., July 12 — It looked lonely on the ball field.  Under an overcast morning sky, with a wind picking up that swayed the nearby palm trees and portended rain, a man alone — a man who had seemingly and suddenly fallen off the baseball map — threw from the mound.

YANKEES AND METS BOTH INQUIRE ABOUT ABREU  —  July 14, 2006 — BOBBY Abreu is both appealing and repelling, an enigma within an All-Star.  He could prove a difference-maker in a playoff race or a reminder that the New York teams should never acquire expensive players with makeup issues.

Notes: Roster moves in the works  —  With Ledee returning from DL, Little weighing several options  —  ST. LOUIS — Ready or not, second baseman Jeff Kent was back in the Dodgers' lineup on Thursday night for the first game after the All-Star break.  —  But the decision was made only one hour …

Notes: Johnson to be sent down  —  Bradley activated from DL; Swisher now full-time first baseman  —  BOSTON — A's outfielder Milton Bradley will be activated off the disabled list on Friday, and MLB.com has learned that the corresponding roster move will be to send first baseman Dan Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento.