Trot Nixon Out Rest of Year and Maybe All of Next Year — In Comes Hinske  —  Late yesterday afternoon (08/17/06) I discovered some bad news.  According to my source, Trot Nixon's infection in his elbow is bad enough that it's going to derail him coming back this year and maybe even next year.

Notes: Edmonds out indefinitely  —  Cards center fielder has post-concussion syndrome  —  ST. LOUIS — Following an extensive battery of tests, Jim Edmonds has been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.  His availability is considered a day-to-day matter, but the condition plaguing Edmonds is clearly one to be taken seriously.

Angels-Rangers discipline announced  —  A total of 10 members of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers organizations have been disciplined for their participation in on-field incidents during their games on Tuesday and Wednesday at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.

Pedro-to-DL is no strain on Willie  —  PHILADELPHIA - The Mets began play last night with a 13-game cushion in the National League East.  That figure certainly made it more palatable for them to be without ace hurler Pedro Martinez for at least the next 13 days.

Haren silences Mariners as A's sweep  —  Righty tosses six scoreless innings to win fifth straight  —  OAKLAND — Teams on a roll get three-run homers from their .220-hitting No. 9 hitters.  Teams in a funk watch their pitcher get his spikes caught in the dirt with a runner at third base, resulting in a balk and a run.

Retired pitcher Brown in turf battle  —  The grass apparently is not greener on the other side of the fence for retired Major League Baseball pitcher Kevin Brown, who reportedly pulled out a pistol in a dispute with a neighbor over yard debris.  —  Bibb County sheriff's deputies were called …

In the Thin Air of Coors Field, It's Not the Hits, It's the Humidor  —  Finally, major league hitters are demanding an investigation into the issue that has skewed their performance and damaged their credibility.  —  Several batters have examined recent home run trends and expressed outrage at their findings.

Back to the future, alternate universe edition (I know I'm supposed to come up with a wrestling headline here)  —  The Red Sox have lost 12 out of 20 games.  David Wells — who not long ago said he wanted to blow up Fenway — has become the team's ace.  The combined salaries of Keith Foulke …

Third-Round Pick Is Signed To a Contract  —  The Washington Nationals put what could be the finishing touch on what they consider a successful 2006 draft by signing third-round pick Stephen King, a shortstop from Florida, meaning they have now come to terms with seven of their first eight picks.

Knuckleballer Canseco walks five, hits four in debut  —  LONG BEACH, Calif. — Jose Canseco's knuckleball was uncontrollable — and it made his debut as a starting pitcher pretty ugly.  —  The former American League MVP hit four batters and walked five others in 4 1/3 innings for the Long Beach Armada on Wednesday night.

Royal blush: Sox lose 2nd straight  —  Guillen hoping lackluster effort 'a slap in the face, a wake-up call'  —  The White Sox sported a weathered look Wednesday night that doesn't bode well for the remaining 11 games of their 24-game stretch without a day off.

Position Breakdown: Left-Handed Starters  —  Left-handed pitchers are always at a premium, and the reasons are obvious.  While studies vary, it's generally accepted that 10-15% of the population is left-handed, yet in any one year 25-30% of the pitching population is southpaw.

Wilkerson can't shoulder pain  —  Outfielder finally succumbs to yearlong soreness, heads to DL  —  ARLINGTON - Finally yielding to the yearlong soreness in his right shoulder, outfielder Brad Wilkerson agreed to go on the disabled list Wednesday.  He will have season-ending surgery next week.

Peavy can see new contacts will help  —  Jake Peavy's new supply of contact lenses arrived yesterday, much to the relief of Padres catchers.  —  "I thought we were going to have to go to smoke signals," said Rob Bowen, who had trouble getting signals to Peavy on Saturday in Houston.

Judge tells Bonds' trainer: Testify or go to jail  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge ordered Barry Bonds' personal trainer to testify Thursday before a grand jury investigating whether the slugger lied about using steroids.  —  If Greg Anderson refuses to testify, he will be sent back to prison for contempt of court.

Using The House Advantage  —  "I do think running the bases aggressively is something that should be the tendency in every team.  I do.  That aggressiveness is part of baseball whether you believe in waiting for the three-run homer or not.  If you can get that guy to third instead …

McGwire in attendance for late game  —  As inning after scoreless inning rolled by in Tuesday night's 18-inning marathon at Coors Field, a man who once belted mammoth homers, and drilled 70 over the wall in 1998, looked on.  —  Surely Mark McGwire was thinking he could have ended the game with one swing of his bat.

Yanks break ground for new stadium  —  Ceremony features bows to history, excitement for future  —  NEW YORK — Armed with shiny baseball bat shovels and Yankees hard hats, those responsible for bringing a new stadium to the New York Yankees and the Bronx dug in on Wednesday.