Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Lester tested for cancer — OAKLAND, Calif. - Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club's most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back.
RELATED ITEMS:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Padres discussing trade for Sox's Wells — Move for veteran lefty would come before Friday's deadline — PHOENIX — The Padres have had talks with the Red Sox about the possibility of bringing left-hander David Wells back to San Diego for the remainder of the season before playoff rosters …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
BoSox close in on Wells trade; Padres likely buyer … The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Triple-A catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lester reportedly tested for cancer — Red Sox rookie on disabled list with back injury — OAKLAND — While most of the health-related problems that have plagued the Red Sox in recent days have been well-publicized, there appears to be another one developing behind the scenes.
Jessica Fargen / Boston Herald:
Sources: Ortiz checks out OK, out of hospital — David Ortiz' heart appears healthy and he could be on the field as early as next week, based on test results yesterday that could finally give Sox fans a reason to cheer, a source said. — Another source said Ortiz was released from the hospital last night …
Boston Globe:
Sox tickets? Suddenly, they're not so hot — As team slides, demand cools and deals abound — Just a few weeks ago, it was a nearly impossible ticket to get — the Red Sox at home. Now, tickets to Sox games are not only available, they can be had for face value or less.
RELATED ITEMS:
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Mound of troubles for Pavano — Carl Pavano was in New York yesterday, but he never set foot in Yankee Stadium, and never had to face his teammates. And it may stay that way for a while. — Pavano yesterday was ordered back into Yankee oblivion — Tampa — after a complete medical procedure …
RELATED ITEMS:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards' Bennett leaves with back sprain — Cleared to play, Molina takes over despite strained right elbow — ST. LOUIS — Bad news collided with good news for the Cardinals catchers on Wednesday night. — Yadier Molina was cleared to play on Wednesday afternoon after missing five games with a muscle strain in his right elbow.
RELATED ITEMS:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
After Winning by a Mile, Mets Reach the Highest Ground — The achievement is only cosmetic. It cannot give the Mets home-field advantage in the World Series or endow them with any special powers or privileges. But it is sweet just the same. — A mile above sea level, the Mets are looking down on the other 29 teams in baseball.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Allen Barra / Village Voice:
Atlas Slugged … There have been several indications that this just isn't Alex Rodriguez's year. One came on June 30, the day after he hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 and awoke to headlines that read "Okay, but Do It Again."
Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
Snakes quieted in finale with Padres — Offense unable to get going for second straight night — PHOENIX — It was a different day but the story and the results, for that matter, were the same. — For the second straight game, the Arizona offense was nearly invisible as the Padres defeated …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Liz Kowalczyk / Boston Globe:
Fibrillation wouldn't threaten career — The Red Sox released few details about David Ortiz's medical condition yesterday, but cardiologists said several clues, including the decision not to rush him to a hospital in Oakland where the team is playing, indicate he probably is not suffering …
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
RELATED ITEMS:
Bleed Cubbie Blue:
Do-It-Yourself Game Post, Part Deux — This afternoon's ridiculous 10-9 loss to the Pirates probably has you feeling like that, doesn't it? — So YOU choose how you want this post to read. — This afternoon in Pittsburgh, took the field and against . The final score was .
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Maddux's all-around effort lifts LA — Veteran tosses seven frames of two-run ball, drives in two runs — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are too busy trying to win a division to sit around and marvel at the greatness of Greg Maddux. — They'll leave that, for now, to the fans.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox tag 'em, bag 'em — Iguchi's homer in 8th, baserunning blunder by Devil Rays in 9th rescue restless Sox — The White Sox survived seven innings of restlessness and frustration Wednesday night with an inning of urgency that provided relief. — Tadahito Iguchi's two-out, two-run …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers pick up Minor League bat — Texas acquires Diaz from Mets for catcher Nickeas — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have acquired outfielder Victor Diaz from the New York Mets for catcher Mike Nickeas. — Diaz, a right-handed hitter, has played in 110 games for the Mets over the past three seasons.
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Liriano throws off mound, but Radke suffers setback — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano threw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since going on the disabled list Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his pitching arm. — The news was not all good for Minnesota, though.
sports.yahoo.com:
Pittsburgh 7, Chi Cubs 6, 11 innings — PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Chicago Cubs keep finding ways to make their miserable season even worse. — They committed four errors, left 12 men on base and blew three leads — including the last one in the 11th inning of their 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds ink Johnson to Minor League deal — Veteran right-hander pitched for Indians, Red Sox this year — LOS ANGELES — Doing what they can to bolster their playoff chances, the Reds made another addition to the pitching staff Wednesday when Jason Johnson was signed to a Minor League contract.
