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.

Rivera and Giambi Taking Medical Tests  —  Mariano Rivera and Jason Giambi played in yesterday's doubleheader, so their health status is not alarming to the Yankees.  But the team was concerned enough about them to schedule magnetic resonance imaging exams.

Mets' Offense Stands Out, but Defense Is Overlooked  —  For the last 11 games, the Mets have fielded every ground ball cleanly, caught every fly ball without incident and thrown every ball on target.  And yet over the same span, the most prominent story lines have centered on David Wright's slump …

Padres appear to have edge in Wells talks  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — David Wells is still scheduled to face Toronto's Roy Halladay tonight at Fenway Park when the Red Sox begins a 10-game homestand, but barring a last-minute change of heart by general manager Theo Epstein, it's likely …

Girardi back quickly after watching team win in absence  —  · Manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday admitted feeling more at ease watching his club from the bench than from his family room.  At least the Marlins provided quality programming.  —  Girardi was back in the dugout Wednesday …

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.

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.

Venezuela survives USA's late homer  —  United State ties game in ninth, but loses first qualifier  —  Bryan LaHair cranked a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough as Team USA lost its first game in pool play to Venezuela, 12-9, in 11 innings on Wednesday.

Tulowitzki gives glimpse of future … Troy Tulowitzki stood outside the Rockies' clubhouse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, searching for a cellphone signal.  Through his eyes, it was easy to see the excitement over what the 21-year-old called the greatest day of his life.

Lynx headed for Pennsylvania in 2008  —  OTTAWA — Sports fans in the nation's capital just didn't seem to root, root, root for the home team enough, so Canada's last Triple-A baseball team is slated to head south of the border.  —  The International League has approved the majority sale …

Scott flops in split decision  —  Blows save after Wang wins opener  —  It wasn't the ninth-inning home run so much as the walks.  That's what irritated Scott Proctor at the end of a long, fickle day in the life of a relief pitcher who was a star in the victory over the Tigers in the opener …

Guillen claims no intent to plunk  —  CHICAGO - With all that was said and what else was implied after Delmon Young's eventful debut, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had a few things he wanted to say Wednesday.  —  Guillen said he did not order starter Freddy Garcia to hit Young …