Cards sign Wilson, send Reyes to Memphis  —  Outfielder Preston Wilson, released by the Houston Astros earlier this week, signed with the Cardinals today.  —  To make room for Wilson on the 25-man roster, the Cards optioned starting pitcher Anthony Reyes to Triple-A Memphis.

Padilla can play hardball … Game time was approaching, but the man on the other end of the phone line said not to worry.  —  "I've got a little time...tonight," Buck Showalter said.  —  The Rangers manager wasn't trying to be funny.  —  Major league managers don't have the luxury of appealing their suspensions.

Bowie to DL, Vidro Likely To Be Activated  —  The Washington Nationals have been working for the last week without a left-hander in the bullpen, ever since Micah Bowie strained a muscle in his upper back — a strain that has left a nasty bruise on his upper arm.

Admit one — With wild card out of play, the games really matter  —  They play 19 games a year, every year, and we treat each unfolding drama as if it were the work of William Shakespeare.  Then the dust settles and the air clears, and in the aftermath, we come to a stunning conclusion.

Hey, Yankee fans, get yer warm beer!  —  If you want to "get your cold beer" at Yankee Stadium, you might want to bring your own ice pack.  —  Yankee fans who shell out as much as $8.75 for an allegedly "ice-cold beer" from vendors say that the brews are nowhere near frosty enough - and they're right.

Guillen gambles for victory  —  Chicago holds back Kansas City for series split  —  CHICAGO — After an offensive beginning never before seen in the history of Major League Baseball, the White Sox shut down the Royals with a remarkable display of defense.  —  Mark Buehrle won …

Delgado and Maine Show Their Strength in Lifting Mets  —  From his two seasons as a Phillie, Billy Wagner considers himself somewhat of an authority on tape-measure home runs at Citizens Bank Park.  —  He has seen balls hit harder.  He has seen them hit farther.

Zink refused to knuckle under  —  What are the chances of two knuckleballers being in a starting rotation?  The answer is remote, but if it's not in Boston, there might be a place for Charlie Zink somewhere else in the big leagues.  —  The Pawtucket righthander has finally shown consistency …

Really?  Is Baseball Less Popular?  —  A recent analysis of baseball's popularity by Gary Gillette concluded that the game is "not nearly as popular now as it once was."  Gary Gillette is the co-chair of SABR's Business of Baseball committee and editor of the 2006 ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia, making this piece especially credible.

Ranking the Closers: Over the Lidge  —  Has the plug finally been pulled on Brad Lidge?  —  Following another blown save earlier this week, the Houston Astros have apparently decided to go with a closer-by-committee approach.  It remains to be seen if Lidge will be a part of that committee.

The iPod Shuffle (One Year Later)  —  I spent much of this week discussing and planning for my future, which was both exciting and tedious.  I'm happy to announce that the contract negotiations I talked briefly about yesterday have ended, with me signing the first official employment contract of my life yesterday morning.

Etkin: Hynick looks to be steal for Rockies  —  Etkin: Hynick looks to be steal for Rockies  —  The June draft was underway, and pitcher Brandon Hynick was glued to his computer, aware his name was not going to appear right away but hoping to learn his professional destiny before long.

Edmonds improves  —  Center fielder Jim Edmonds didn't play again on Thursday as he battles with post-concussion syndrome.  He saw a neurologist and may play this weekend in Chicago.  —  "He actually was improved today,'' trainer Barry Weinberg said. "  He felt better.

How much is too much for young arms?  —  When pitchers take the mound for the Little League Baseball World Series, starting today in Williamsport, Pa., something of greater value than a championship could be on the line: their arms.  —  Increasingly, ace 11- and 12-year-old hurlers …