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 …

Yankees' Pavano has new complaint  —  NEW YORK — Carl Pavano is now complaining of shoulder pain, the latest in a series of ailments for the New York Yankees' $40 million pitcher.  —  Pavano is telling Yankees officials that his shoulder is now bothering him, in addition to his ribs, a source told SI.com.

Good news for Papi — Sources say Ortiz passes heart tests, 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.

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' Mulder doubts he'll pitch again this season  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder, hammered in a pair of starts since coming off the disabled list, believes he probably won't pitch again this season because of shoulder problems.

Notes: Mets Add Hernandez, Get Set for Playoffs  —  Here's the reason the Mets needed to add Anderson Hernandez, or some position player, to the roster before Sept. 1 - at least according to Mets officials.  —  Let's say the Mets wanted to call up Lastings Milledge, or any other position player …

Twins lose Castillo, game to the Royals  —  Kansas City made it two victories in a row, and Minnesota's troubles were compounded when its second baseman got hurt.  —  Hitless in his past 15 at-bats, Joe Mauer is struggling through his biggest slump of the season, with his major league-leading average down to .350.

Position Breakdown: Right-Handed Starters  —  With nearly one-third of all rosters consisting of right-handed pitchers, I decided to take this list up to 20.  As always, to be eligible for the rankings, one must be in the minor leagues currently, so a guy like Matt Garza is not eligible.

Howard sets club homer record  —  Phils slugger smashes No. 49, breaks tie with Schmidt  —  WASHINGTON — About a section over from where Ryan Howard's franchise record-setting home run landed, two chilly Philly fans held up a sign at RFK Stadium:  —  "Howard: Hit it here!"  —  He almost did.

For the Books, Nationals Face History Questions  —  Records by Senators, Expos Are at Issue  —  Over the final month of the season, Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano will almost certainly hit at least two more home runs.  When he does, he'll establish a franchise record — most homers in a season.

Backe to undergo elbow surgery  —  Astros starter hopes to return by end of next season  —  HOUSTON — If the Astros make another miracle run through October this year, they'll have to do it without Brandon Backe.  Opting to no longer put off the inevitable, the right-hander decided …

Ten Great Pickups by Omar Minaya  —  Everyone knows that the Mets are having a great year.  Much of the focus has been on the big-name players, including Carlos Beltran's MVP year, David Wright's and Jose Reyes' breakout years, Billy Wagner's closing and Carlos Delgado's batting and leadership.

Back in the Bay  —  Ultimately, Bonds will end up back with Giants for '07  —  Barry Bonds will be back with the Giants next year, taking aim at Hank Aaron.  There isn't a done deal, an agreement or even a handshake.  It's just common sense.  —  Bonds wants to return to the Giants …

Rangers owner looks ahead to winter  —  Owner not conceding AL West, but hot A's are pulling away  —  ARLINGTON - Rangers owner Tom Hicks won't concede the AL West race.  But he sure did come close Wednesday.  —  Returning to Ameriquest Field after watching his team lose two of three …