RANGERS NOTES  —  Laird is regaining his spot  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Catcher Gerald Laird started again Wednesday, marking the second consecutive series in which he has started the majority of the games.  This after never starting two games in any three-game series before the All-Star break.

Notes: Will Robinson return?  —  Players would like manager to come back next season  —  SAN FRANCISCO — With left fielder Alfonso Soriano expected to stay with the Nationals for the rest of the season, the next question that lingers around this franchise is if Frank Robinson will remain the manager of the team past the 2006 season.

Astros-Padres Preview  —  The Houston Astros are slowly moving into contention for a third straight NL wild card berth.  —  The Astros look to complete their first three-game sweep at San Diego in nearly 24 years when the meet the Padres on Thursday afternoon.

IN TRAX- ION  —  There's an unfortunate reality in sports; loyalty comes second to winning championships.  —  It's a realm where great ten years ago means little if you're below average now.  The phrase "thanks for the memories" only applies in the short term.  Cold and wrong as it can appear, such is life in the sports world.

Mulder may pitch soon  —  Mulder may pitch soon  —  Barring complications from a side session set for today, lefthander Mark Mulder will begin a rehab assignment Sunday in Davenport, Iowa, for Class A Quad Cities.  —  Mulder reported no problems Wednesday after working a three-inning simulation Tuesday against several teammates.

Cubs' Wood skips surgery on shoulder  —  Right-hander will come out of the bullpen after rehab  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has decided not to have surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, and also has accepted that he may have to pitch in relief rather than start when he does return.

Daily Dish: Aug. 3  —  One of the premiere pitching matchups across the minors took place at Double-A Reading on Wednesday, as Phillies lefthander Gio Gonzalez went up against Yankees righthander Philip Hughes.  —  Gonzalez wound up on the winning side, as the Phillies downed Trenton 5-1 …

Death, Taxes, and Major League Waivers  —  MLB's rules are complex and convoluted, but they're not hard.  I've heard various people in front offices referred to as "rules experts" or - my favorite "waivers experts."  The rule on waivers (Rule 9) runs nine pages, a large part of which revolve around resolving the order of claims.

Fasano & Lidle keep cool, warm up for hot forecast  —  Sal Fasano is a man with a three-part plan.  The first part is eating a good meal this morning.  The second is drinking an enormous amount of water.  The third aspect is having prepared a solution of ammonia and water so he can pour it on his head from time to time.

With Harper hurt, converted McClung returns  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Reliever Travis Harper is headed to the disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder, and Seth McClung has been recalled from Triple-A Durham.  —  McClung was sent to the minors to make the shift from starter …

Matheny done for the season with concussion  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Catcher Mike Matheny has made little progress in his recovery from a concussion and will not play again this season for San Francisco.  —  After another series of tests and appointments with specialists at the University …

Park bled internally; prognosis good  —  Lower intestinal bleeding caused starting pitcher Chan Ho Park to lose half of his blood volume, but the Padres expect a blood transfusion and iron supplements to soon restore the anemic 33-year-old.  —  "As soon he can come off the disabled list …

Varitek keeps positive outlook  —  Jason Varitek hobbled into the room and hobbled out.  In between, the Red Sox catcher opted to take the optimistic view.  —  But then, that is probably part of the reason why he is the team captain.  —  Speaking for the first time since being diagnosed …