Blue Jays cut ties with Hillenbrand  —  Veteran had been vocal about being frustrated with his role  —  TORONTO — After voicing his displeasure with his role on the Blue Jays and other issues, veteran infielder Shea Hillenbrand was designated for assignment following Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

Wakefield out with stress fracture in rib cage  —  The Red Sox will have to make do without pitcher Tim Wakefield for at least three weeks, after extensive tests revealed he has a stress fracture in his rib cage, a source with direct knowledge of the injury confirmed.

Rangers stop off in Boston  —  Texas (49-46) at Boston (57-36), 1:05 p.m. CT  —  John Rheinecker pitches in Boston today and he didn't do badly in his first trip to Fenway Park, holding the Red Sox to three runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings in a game the Rangers eventually won, 7-4.

Nats Left Wishing on a Star  —  Frustration Mounts as Kearns Struggles, Florida Wins Series: Marlins 1, Nationals 0  —  MIAMI, July 19 — For a moment, there was some hope, albeit in the most marginal of forms.  Florida Marlins center fielder Alfredo Amezaga drifted back …

Cubs coach put on leave after DUI arrest  —  The Cubs coaching staff, already in turmoil over job futures, underwent a shakeup after third-base coach Chris Speier was charged with driving under the influence early Wednesday.  —  No one was saying how long Triple-A manager Mike Quade …

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE  —  REDS IMPRESSED BY 1ST LOOK AT PELFREY  —  July 20, 2006 — CINCINNATI - There are other pitchers who are going to fire big-time heat to the plate, according to Adam Dunn.  But the Reds slugger said Mike Pelfrey's fastball is different.  —  "He's big and tall, and he's got a good fastball.

Yanks do trick, not trade  —  Until yesterday, and the wasted vintage pitching effort by Randy Johnson, there had been nothing but good tidings for Joe Torre's Yankees this second half of the season.  And, more and more, there has been reason to believe the "scrub squadders" of Melky Cabrera …

Mets could trade top prospect for Zito  —  The Mets have insisted for months that they won't trade their top position prospect, Class AAA outfielder Lastings Milledge.  But a growing number of major-league executives believe that the Mets will indeed part with Milledge, 21, if they can get the right starting pitcher in return.

Pedro makes pitch to hit 10-day target  —  CINCINNATI - Pedro Martinez has moved closer to returning from the disabled list.  The ace had a 60-pitch bullpen session yesterday, with a five-minute rest midway through the workout.  Martinez, whose 45-pitch session Sunday was his first since landing …

1.6B Mets, Yanks bonds  —  The IRS gave the thumbs up to the city yesterday to issue $1.6 billion in bonds so the Yankees and Mets can build new stadiums.  —  The long-anticipated ruling follows the approval of the financing package by the New York City Industrial Development Agency …

Hanks, Howard pay visit to GABP  —  Along with Dennis Miller, Oscar winners touring ballparks  —  CINCINNATI — On Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park, actors Tom Hanks and Dennis Miller and director Ron Howard were just three regular guys killing time during a long rain delay.

Clemens wins 343rd over Cubs, Maddux  —  Roger Clemens outpitched Greg Maddux in a rare matchup of 300-game winners and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Wednesday night.  —  Clemens (2-3) threw six shutout innings to earn his 343rd career victory and move into sole possession of eighth place on the career list.

A's edge past Orioles  —  Crosby, Ellis hit back-to-back homers in third inning  —  BALTIMORE — Bobby Crosby was batting .111 so far on the A's current road trip, and Mark Ellis was batting .222.  —  So after Crosby ripped a two-run homer in the third inning Tuesday and Ellis followed …

Chat Wrap: John Manuel Prospects Chat  —  Q: … A:  —  John Manuel: Thanks to everyone for coming in to the chat, I've had plenty of email on this post already so I thought a chat was the way to go.  Let's dive in with Weezer as my backkup band for the day . . .