Twins promote Garza to majors  —  DETROIT — With their starting pitching staff in tatters, the Twins promoted top prospect Matt Garza to the big leagues Tuesday and sent Mike Smith back to Class AAA Rochester.  —  DETROIT — With their starting pitching staff in tatters …

Mets claim Dodgers OF Ledee on waivers  —  LOS ANGELES — Ricky Ledee is headed back to the Big Apple, this time with the New York Mets.  —  The backup outfielder was placed on waivers Monday night by the Los Angeles Dodgers and quickly claimed by New York.

Anger management  —  Joe Girardi's future as the Marlins' manager seemed in doubt for a while Sunday after a dispute with owner Jeffrey Loria.  'We talked about things,' Girardi said.  —  kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com  —  When the Marlins open a key, nine-game road trip in Washington tonight …

Pitcher kept health secret  —  Majewski goes on DL, reveals previous, current arm woes  —  Gary Majewski was definitely hurt when the Washington Nationals traded him to the Reds July 13.  —  He knew it.  It sounds like people in the Washington organization knew it.

Building the Best in Motor City, Part Two  —  Picking up from yesterday...  A month after nabbing their franchise shortstop, the Tigers signed a franchise catcher, Ivan Rodriguez.  On the surface, this made all kinds of sense; it's not often you get the opportunity to sign a surefire Hall of Famer who just turned 32.

Papi may be a 21st-century Foxx  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - If you haven't already, now would be a great time to start your David Ortiz home run pool.  —  Anyone can join, and all kinds of twists are involved.  —  A good one to start: Pick the date Ortiz passes Jimmie Foxx for most single-season home runs by a Red Sox player.

Cabrera, Benson back in rotation  —  TORONTO // As expected, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo announced yesterday that Daniel Cabrera will start today's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  It will be the 25-year-old's first start since July 13 against Texas, a game in which he gave up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Indians sign Lee to three-year, $14M extension  —  CLEVELAND — Cliff Lee signed a three-year, $14 million contract extension with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, another long-term commitment for a young player the club considers key to winning in the future.

Meltdown just plain Kay-razy  —  Thinking before one speaks has never been a prerequisite for gaining employment as a sports radio talkie.  In fact, some mouths are encouraged - in the name of ratings or buzz - to flap their yaps with no regard for truth, accuracy, or rationale.

D-Backs hoping trade brings 'the Force'  —  He's been called everything from a "difference maker" to "Darth Vader," a deceptive starting pitcher who gets inside a batter's head while using "the Force."  Come Friday, Diamondbacks fans will get to see for themselves just what Arizona acquired …

Plate discipline is secret to October success  —  At first glance, the Yankees' path to the postseason looks as encouraging as it's been in months: They're two games ahead of the Red Sox, Bobby Abreu is 10-for-25 in pinstripes, and with Robinson Cano due to return to the lineup tonight …

Escobar Is Free to Focus on a 6-3 Win  —  Without Pierzynski in the lineup, the Angels' pitcher has a fine six innings in Chicago.  —  CHICAGO — Kelvim Escobar would never admit it, but the fact A.J. Pierzynski was not in the Chicago White Sox's lineup Monday night may have helped …