Hunter seeks no-trade contract  —  Center fielder wants extension but is not optimistic Twins will grant his request  —  NEW YORK — Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said Friday that he's not optimistic about the possibility of negotiating a contract extension with the Twins, in part because of one stipulation he would require.

Reds-Padres Preview  —  The Cincinnati Reds finally ended their losing streak at six games.  That's given them a chance to move into the NL wild-card lead Saturday.  —  The Reds look to jump past the San Diego Padres and into playoff position when the teams continue their three-game series at Petco Park.

For Dusty, a time to reflect  —  When the San Francisco Giants come to Wrigley Field today to open a weekend series against the Cubs, losers of six straight games, beleaguered Cubs manager Dusty Baker will reminisce of much happier days.  —  Baker began his 14-year managing career with the Giants …

Month of meaning for Rangers  —  ARLINGTON - September is a fickle month for baseball lovers.  It can arrive full of promise and poetry, as it did Friday in New York and St. Louis, in Detroit and Chicago, in Los Angeles and Minneapolis.  —  It's a month for dreamers and broken hearts …

So far, so good on Ortiz's heart tests  —  You never hear the word ``unremarkable" associated with David Ortiz, but in this case, it's a good thing.  —  That was the word used to describe the results of Ortiz's heart tests conducted Wednesday and Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital by a team of experts.

Notes: Bell's future not in question  —  Sanders has no tear; Braun reports for first stint  —  KANSAS CITY — Never mind any rumors to the contrary.  There is no reason to believe that Buddy Bell won't return as the Royals manager into 2007.  —  "There's no reason at all," said general manager Dayton Moore.

D-Backs to change look in 2007  —  Red, sand and black will be Arizona's new color scheme  —  PHOENIX — Like a snake shedding its skin, the Diamondbacks will have a fresh look in 2007.  —  After years of studying the issue, the D-Backs will change their color scheme to a red …

He'll Likely Return A First Baseman  —  NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield had a box of bats delivered to his locker at Yankee Stadium Friday afternoon but he won't be able to use them for at least another week.  —  Sheffield, who has been on the disabled list since May 14 because of a torn ligament …

Major League Yankees lover  —  1st game in 50 yrs. a ball for fan, 103  —  Helen Beller is truly a Yankees fan for the ages.  —  The great-great-grandma from Manhattan's upper West Side has been rootin' for the Bronx Bombers all her life, which began in 1903, the same year the Yanks were born as the Highlanders.

Jays turn to Burnett to stop skid  —  Toronto (69-66) at Boston (73-62), 1:05 p.m. ET  —  Toronto starter A.J. Burnett pitched poorly in the rain during his last trip to the mound, so he hopes a schedule change will help him avoid a similar situation on Saturday.

Hafner day to day with hand bruise  —  X-rays negative after Tribe slugger hit by pitch Friday  —  ARLINGTON — Travis Hafner was in position to hit his record-breaking seventh grand slam Friday night.  —  Instead, Hafner himself got hit with a fastball thrown by Rangers reliever C.J. Wilson.

Pérez Exhibits His Inconsistency  —  DENVER, Aug. 31 The Mets' rotation will receive a jolt this weekend when Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernández start for the first time in two weeks, but the long-anticipated return to normalcy does not signal good news for everyone.

Lester diagnosed with cancer  —  Sox pitcher has form of lymphoma  —  The Red Sox announced yesterday that Jon Lester, 22, had been diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and will begin treatment in the coming week.  —  Sox manager Terry Francona …

Notes: You can go home again  —  Utility man from Racine living dream he had as a kid  —  fclines@journalsentinel.com  —  Growing up, Vinny Rottino spent a lot of time in the stands watching the Milwaukee Brewers.  Now local youngsters will be watching him.