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.

Padres get the Reds out  —  SAN DIEGO - Jake Peavy threw a two-hitter, matching his career-best, and struck out 14 for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Saturday night to keep the lead in the NL wild-card race.  —  Rookie Josh Barfield hit a two-run homer …

Philadelphia Phillies  —  I've changed my mind, and so should everyone else.  —  Just weeks ago, Ryan Howard was a distant third on the MVP depth chart.  It didn't matter that he led in home runs and had emerged as a prototypical slugger.  Cardinals stud Albert Pujols and Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran …

Kouzmanoff set to join Indians  —  Prospect to serve as extra bat with injury to Hafner  —  ARLINGTON — The Indians didn't plan on making any September callups until after Triple-A Buffalo's season ends on Tuesday.  —  A minor injury to Travis Hafner, however, has forced the need …

Arias ready to make a major leap  —  ARLINGTON - Top shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias will be joining the Rangers in the next few days.  His playing time will be limited, but the Rangers are more interested in the experience he can gain by being on the major league club.

Everybody Loves Sal  —  Derek Jeter has four championship rings and his own cologne.  Alex Rodriguez, the reigning American League most valuable player, has the richest contract in baseball.  —  But despite their fame and fortune, neither Jeter nor Rodriguez can boast a fan club based …

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

Angels Finally Make Up Ground  —  They beat Detroit, 7-2, in 10 innings and are 71/2 games behind Oakland, but some believe the team would be better off not reaching playoffs.  —  DETROIT — There is a growing sentiment among the more rational and realistic followers of the Angels — yes …

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 …

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.

Floyd's power surge helps speed recall  —  HOUSTON — Hours after manager Willie Randolph said that Cliff Floyd would remain in Port St. Lucie, Fla., through the weekend to continue and rehab his sore Achilles' tendon, the Mets announced that the left fielder would join the team here in time for tonight's game.

Harsh truths about Rockies … Los Angeles - Sometimes the truth is simple.  The Rockies wake up today buried in the National League West because they aren't good enough.  —  They haven't been devastated by injuries, like last season when they were better versed in HMOs than RBIs.

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:

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.