Nats start road trip with a trade  —  LOS ANGELES — The Washington Nationals' "Road Trip of Change" kicked off last night with the trade of an established veteran for a young prospect.  —  Just not the trade everyone has been waiting for.  —  While Alfonso Soriano remained …

Rox not shy of bunting  —  Colorado leads majors in sacrifice hits … Is it me or does Clint Hurdle manage the team like a slow-pitch softball team?  He had three chances July 14 at Cincinnati to play small ball.  He only did it once, when the game was fading into the later innings.

Beckett shoots for 14th vs. phenom  —  Los Angeles (53-49) at Boston (61-40), 1:20 p.m. ET  —  On their road to October, the Red Sox have been cruising for most of the season in first place of the American League East.  However, a shaky start to the second half of the season has the Sox looking …

D-Rays' kids set for major promotions  —  DURHAM, N.C. — It's late morning at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and already 92 degrees.  There is no breeze.  No clouds.  Just stifling humidity.  —  "I don't know whose idea this was to play a day game," says Class AAA Bulls third baseman B.J. Upton …

Notes: Chipper to go on disabled list  —  Third baseman's strained oblique will need time to heal  —  ATLANTA — When Willy Aybar arrives in Atlanta in time for Sunday afternoon's game, he'll find himself beginning at least a two-week stint as the Braves starting third baseman.

Players pack their favorites for road trips  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Shawn Green brings his own soap on every road trip.  Mike Cameron never forgets his lavender linen spray and orange-scented spray for the room.  Ichiro Suzuki depends on an electric massager that takes up nearly half his suitcase.

Indians promote infielder Andy Marte from Triple-A Buffalo  —  Infielder Ramon Vazquez optioned to Triple-A Buffalo  —  CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has recalled INF ANDY MARTE from the AAA Buffalo Bisons.  To make room on the 25-man roster for Marte …

As Deadline Nears, Yankees Consider Abreu and Pitchers  —  Yankees Manager Joe Torre talks to General Manager Brian Cashman six, seven, eight times a day, securing trade updates here and offering opinions about players there.  Mostly, it has been the same routine.

Will's Mill  —  Saturday Love  —  Saturday, July 29, noon ET: The Astros and Angels have made their final offers on Miguel Tejada.  The Orioles now have to decide if it's enough to give up their star shortstop.  The Astros have a backup plan in Julio Lugo, but need to act quickly …

Handle with care  —  Yankees developing young pitchers, not trading them.  —  Besides Andy Pettitte, no drafted-and-developed Yankees pitcher has made more than 10 starts in a major league season since 1995.  —  That was the year Sterling Hitchcock and Scott Kamieniecki joined Pettitte in the same rotation for Buck Showalter.

Could be Zito or nobody  —  ATLANTA - While the Mets mull the value of second-tier options such as Jon Lieber, Livan Hernandez and Kip Wells, what they seem to really want is the big prize, and he takes the mound Saturday in Oakland.  —  That would be Barry Zito, and it's a subject …

Quicker hook is plan for Buehrle  —  Guillen: No 6th unless he's sharp  —  BALTIMORE — Javier Vazquez has dubious company.  —  White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he and his staff have discussed giving embattled left-hander Mark Buehrle a quicker hook in future starts until he pitches through his current troubles.

Hall of Fame class ready for induction  —  Four living members share memories at luncheon  —  CLEVELAND — Late-night games of poker didn't entice Rocky Colavito and Herb Score the way they did their respective roommates during the Indians' Spring Training in 1953.

Barfield is putting up the numbers  —  DENVER - Josh Barfield is a big fan of the logic-based number game Sudoku.  —  As teammates play cards, work crossword puzzles or read to pass the time before games in the Padres clubhouse, Barfield wrestles with the lines of numbers.

Late homers sinking Kensing  —  ATLANTA - The Misadventures of Logan and J.J., Fox Sports Net Florida's popular pre-game show, chronicles pitchers Logan Kensing and Josh Johnson as they tour landmarks in cities where the Marlins play.  —  But Kensing has been having a few more misadventures …