Pirates Notebook: Rockies' Shealy in trade sights  —  The Pirates are one of five teams pursuing Colorado Rockies first baseman Ryan Shealy through a trade.  —  Shealy, 26, spent the entire season with Class AAA Colorado Springs before being recalled Monday to participate in the current series.

Boss prefers Soriano over Abreu  —  When George Steinbrenner spoke Saturday about "a guy I prefer," reporters followed up with a question about Bobby Abreu, and the Yankees' principal owner spoke positively of the Phillies' outfielder.  —  But Abreu is not the player The Boss had in mind.

Indians acquire RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Mike Adams.  Sikorski will join the Indians in Anaheim prior to tonight's game.

Red Sox activate outfielder Wily Mo Pena, recall righthander Jermaine Van Buren from Triple-A  —  Lefthander Javier Lopez optioned to Triple-A, infielder Willie Harris designated for assignment  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today activated outfielder Wily Mo Pena from the 15-day disabled list …

O's, Phils discuss swap … Hoping to bolster their offense at the non-waiver trade deadline for both the present and the near future, the Orioles have discussed sending starter Rodrigo Lopez to the Philadelphia Phillies for one of their two expensive outfielders, Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell.

Motown muscle  —  2 Konerko HRs back Garland in Sox romp  —  DETROIT — No wakeup call was necessary Tuesday night, unless you count the bump behind the back of Scott Podsednik's head.  —  That was courtesy of a throw from teammate Juan Uribe before batting practice that accidentally hit him.

Cardinal notebook: Gall bound for Korea  —  Gall bound for Korea  —  Twice the organization's minor league player of the year, outfielder John Gall was released by the Cardinals on Monday so that he could sign with a professional team in Korea.  Gall, 28, was in his fourth season with Class AAA Memphis …

Girardi expects Ramirez to build on power  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Rookie shortstop Hanley Ramirez is blossoming into one of baseball's rare commodities - a leadoff hitter with power.  —  Ramirez homered Tuesday for the third time in as many games, which gives him nine this season.

Let debate begin on 'Hometown Heroes'  —  DHL sponsors fan voting for 30 big-league teams' best  —  They live in our hearts as Cooperstown plaques; as statues, monuments, retired numbers and foul-pole flags at Major League ballparks; as baseball cards and beloved memorabilia …

At age 94, O'Neil becomes oldest-ever pro baseball player  —  KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil never got a free pass in life.  —  The grandson of a man brought to this continent a slave, O'Neil moved to Kansas City to avoid racial persecution in the Deep South.

Notes: Hardy's season over  —  Shortstop to undergo surgery to repair loose tendon in ankle  —  SAN FRANCISCO — J.J. Hardy's season, in limbo for the last two months, is officially over.  —  The Brewers' second-year shortstop will undergo season-ending surgery this week to repair a loose tendon in his right ankle.

Molina's Numbers Need Asterisk  —  A statistic in Sunday's team-issued postgame notes made it seem as if catcher Jose Molina is on a tear, batting .356 (16 for 45) in his last 16 games.  Not mentioned was the fact that those numbers were accumulated in the Angels' last 42 games.