Sox trio complete rehab assignments  —  Gonzalez, Nixon and Varitek slated to be activated Sunday  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The injuries to Manny Ramirez and Jonathan Papelbon.  The irregular heartbeat scare for David Ortiz and the diagnosis of cancer for Jon Lester.  Even the passing of Red Sox legend Charlie Wagner.

Kouzmanoff hits grand slam in first AB  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in the majors only hours after the Cleveland Indians purchased his contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.  —  Kouzmanoff was the designated hitter in place of Travis Hafner …

Beltran hurt after making great catch  —  X-rays are negative, center fielder is listed as day-to-day  —  HOUSTON — The Mets received word late Saturday that X-rays on Carlos Beltran were negative, hours after their center fielder had injured his left knee crashing into a chain-link fence in left-center field at Minute Maid Park

Notes: Mackowiak's glove needs work  —  Outfielder to work on defense; Thome returns to lineup  —  KANSAS CITY — Rob Mackowiak's one-hop throw from center field to third baseman Joe Crede during the Royals' six-run fourth inning Friday bounced away for his third error this season.

Pirates Notebook: Payroll will not change much, McClatchy says  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  ST. LOUIS — The Pirates' ownership has yet to have formal discussions about the 2007 player payroll, but the maximum should be close to the roughly $48 million of this season …

Penny wins 15th; LA's streak at seven  —  Dodgers answer Rockies' rally with six-run sixth inning  —  LOS ANGELES — Among the multiple subplots from the Dodgers' 14-5 blowout of the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night was what took place among the first basemen, as slumping Nomar Garciaparra homered …

Astros look like bigger threat than Reds  —  As a primer to watching September baseball, one might look much closer at the perennially tormenting Houston Astros rather than the Cincinnati Reds as the team that possibly could run down the Cardinals for the National League Central Division championship.

Cards Notebook: Edmonds will stay home  —  Edmonds will stay home  —  Center fielder Jim Edmonds (post-concussion syndrome) will not travel with the team on its upcoming seven-game trip to Washington and Arizona.  He has made one start in the past 13 games because of lingering headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.

Cubs want Wood—for less money, in relief  —  Although the Cubs will decline their $13.5 million option on Kerry Wood, they are continuing with his rehabilitation plan as if he will be pitching for them in the future.  —  When asked if Wood would be ready for spring training …

Bell Is the Designated Flier for the Mets This Season  —  When departing passengers in New York or Norfolk, Va., spot Heath Bell in the airport, they sometimes do not know what to say.  —  Did he get promoted again?  Did he get sent down again?  A high-five and a good luck or a sorry, you'll get 'em next time?

Ortiz feeling better  —  Big Papi aims to return to the Red Sox's lineup next week  —  BOSTON — With his trademark smile plastered on his face and his typically gaudy diamond collection strewn to various parts of his wardrobe, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was very much back at Fenway Park on Saturday …

Rays turn triple play against Mariners  —  Club performs unique feat for second time in team history  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Tampa Bay starter J.P. Howell said it looked like a snowball fight.  Shortstop Ben Zobrist called it awesome.  Catcher Dioner Navarro was just looking forward to seeing himself on ESPN's highlights.

The Definitive Word on Postseason Eligibility  —  I just spoke with Mets assistant GM John Ricco, the resident rules expert.  He offered the definitive explanation of who is eligible for the postseason.  —  Basically, anyone on the active 25-man roster on Aug. 31 (which would include Anderson Hernandez) …

Baker helps Twins blow past Yankees  —  Starter allows one run in five innings; Hunter, Morneau go deep  —  NEW YORK — If there was a spot for a designated pitcher against the Yankees, Scott Baker certainly would be the Twins' choice.  —  Making his second start against New York this season …

Nook-Yoo-Ler.  It's pronounced Nook-Yoo-Ler.  —  Jim Bowden executed an eighteen-hour transactional orgy from late Thursday until Friday afternoon, trading guys, recalling guys, outrighting guys, and trading for guys.  At the conclusion of the administrative whirlwind, Bowden had accomplished the following:

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 …