With Liriano ailing, Twins call up Garza  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Francisco Liriano's pitching arm still bothering him, the Minnesota Twins purchased the contract of right-hander Matt Garza from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.  —  Garza, the team's first-round draft pick in 2005 …

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.

Reports: Marlins owner, Girardi had 'heated discussion'  —  Were the Florida Marlins close to changing managers on Sunday?  —  According to media reports in South Florida, a disagreement between Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and manager Joe Girardi erupted during and after the Marlins' loss …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Beltrán No Longer Just a Shadow of Himself  —  The children sitting in a classroom at Harlem RBI headquarters yesterday afternoon knew the basics about their special guest, Carlos Beltrán.  They all professed to like the Mets more than the Yankees, and they said that center field was their favorite position.

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 …