Nats deal Anderson, Ward for prospects  —  Club receives two right-handed Minor League pitchers  —  WASHINGTON — Since Stan Kasten took over as president of the Nationals, he said that he wanted to stockpile the farm system with pitchers.  The team took steps in doing just that as it made two trades late Thursday night.

Cabrera protecting elbow  —  ST. LOUIS — All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera said he expects to return to the lineup today after sitting out Thursday with a bruised left elbow.  —  Manager Joe Girardi left Cabrera's return open until his left elbow is healed.

With Respect, Leyland Argues His Point  —  Nothing, it would seem, could stop an ornery baseball manager from arguing with an umpire.  Nothing, that is, except the voice of Kate Smith.  —  Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland was ejected from yesterday's game after the second to last pitch of the top of the seventh inning.

Padres add Wells for stretch run  —  Veteran acquired in time to be put on postseason roster  —  SAN DIEGO — You can go home again — and again — if you're David "Boomer" Wells.  —  The Padres on Thursday believe they made the big stretch-run move their fans have been yearning …

Twins add veteran bat Nevin  —  Cubs to receive player to be named in deal  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have been seeking a strong bat in their lineup to flourish in the designated hitter slot all season long.  —  Now they may have found that bat — on the waiver wire.

Etkin: Garner has overcome injuries to show potential  —  All statistics through Wednesday, Aug. 30  —  Jim Johnson gave this compliment to low Single-A Asheville left fielder Cole Garner: "He's got as much power as anybody in the system."  —  That's not just an offhand remark …

Rangers chat wrap: Time to see the youngsters  —  Evan Grant: Here's our new promotion: We'll answer questions for the same amount of time that Robinson Tejeda spends on the mound in the first inning of his previous start.  So, today, we'll be here for a very long time.  Be gentle with me.

Eaton's summer just heating up  —  ARLINGTON - From now until season's end, Adam Eaton is auditioning for a spot in a starting rotation, whether it be in Texas or elsewhere for the soon-to-be free agent.  —  But with that said, it's really the beginning of Eaton's season.

Sox get helping hand from Rios, Jays  —  Yesterday was an upside-down day for the Red Sox that saw the following:  —  David Ortiz released from Massachusetts General Hospital.  —  Jon Lester, also at Mass. General, being diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodes.

Rangers' Kinsler says time to grow is now  —  Rookie second baseman isn't waiting for next season to improve  —  ARLINGTON - Second baseman Ian Kinsler is already in self-evaluation mode.  He feels good about his rookie season in the majors but wants to use the final month of the season to work on a few key parts of his game.

Ichiro, Johjima develop mutual trust  —  Although they sit at neighboring lockers in a corner of the Safeco Field clubhouse, grasping similarly glossy magazines from Japan, their minds couldn't have drifted to more divergent galaxies as they relax before a game.  —  Ichiro is absorbed in fashion, Kenji Johjima in fish.

Wilson, Rupe find their spots  —  ARLINGTON - With the intense publicity that has been focused on the prominent young pitchers in the Rangers' organization — Edinson Volquez, Thomas Diamond and John Danks — two other young arms have slipped under the radar.

Philadelphia Phillies  —  IT WILL BE interesting to see what Major League Baseball does next season with Barry Bonds.  —  As much as baseball would like him to just go away, it can't force Bonds to retire, and it doesn't have the goods to suspend him for doing what a lot of people …

Burnitz can smile at his fate  —  Jose Bautista had circled the bases, his two-out, two-run home run Aug. 15 having put the Pirates ahead of Milwaukee by a run in the seventh inning at PNC Park.  —  As Bautista, 25, joyfully stepped into the Pirates' dugout, jubilant high-fives surrounded him.

Thursday, Aug. 31: Honorable Mention  —  In a land of big names, some players can easily get overshadowed.  Jerry Crasnick puts a stop to that, however, by pointing out eight underappreciated players who deserve recognition.  Story  —  • Baseball Tonight: Who are the top under-the-radar players?

Juan Encarnacion warms up to CF  —  Granting that his fill-in center fielder has the range, the speed, the arm and often the glove to handle the most vast position in the field, manager Tony La Russa said there was only one thing that could keep Juan Encarnacion from being a regular center fielder.