Buchholz to Claypen  —  Terry Francona has just announced that Clay Buchholz will primarily be used out of the Red Sox' bullpen from here on out to make sure that his workload doesn't get too great of an increase from last year.  —  Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter in his second major-league …

For What You Are About to Receive  —  It's been an unfortunate part of writing for BP that I've written a number of words about the passing of friends.  Today, I've got another obituary to write, but this one's not in the least bit painful.  —  Baseball analysis is dead.

Mariners beat Yankees as Roger Clemens leaves early for elbow MRI  —  Losing a game to the Mariners yesterday might turn out to be the least of the Yankees' problems, as Roger Clemens left the ballpark during the game to undergo an MRI on his $28 million right elbow.

Zambrano emotional after latest setback  —  Fiery righty allows eight runs in 4 1/3, sounds off postgame  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano ignored a stop sign, but couldn't shrug off the booing.  —  Zambrano remained winless in his last six starts as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cubs, 11-3, on Monday.

Nationals trade King to Brewers  —  Washington to receive player to be named in trade  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals traded left-handed reliever Ray King to the Brewers on Tuesday for a player to be named.  —  King, who was a valuable situational lefty out of the bullpen, went 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 55 games this season.

Padres add Tomko ahead of stretch drive  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Padres, attempting to fortify their pitching staff for the September stretch drive, have signed right-hander Brett Tomko to serve as a long reliever and possible spot starter.  —  Tomko, 34, was designated for assignment …

Returns are in: Average performance from Pedro  —  CINCINNATI — Pedro Martinez admitted the quality of his pitches was not anywhere near his best.  Nor were the Reds overly impressed from what they saw from the right-hander.  —  Martinez allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) …

Pedro records 3,000th strikeout  —  Mets right-hander sets down Harang to join exclusive club  —  CINCINNATI — The baseball moved untouched past the bat of Aaron Harang and popped into the catcher's mitt of Paul Lo Duca for the third strike of the third out of the second inning.

A-Rod, Ordonez, Utley and Wright pushing to be MVPs … September isn't just a month when pennants are won.  It's also a month when MVP trophies are won.  —  So let's take a look at the most prominent MVP candidates in each league — and where they stand with four weeks left in a sensational season.

Big Apple sweep  —  A-Rod, Wright emerge as leading MVP candidates  —  Also in this column:  —  For the first time in 52 years and only the third time in baseball history, both league MVPs may play the same position in the same city.  —  Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a hammerlock on his third American League MVP award.

Ramirez's shoulder may need surgery  —  WASHINGTON — Shortstop Hanley Ramirez gave the Marlins a scare Monday when he grabbed his shoulder and fell down in pain after swinging at and missing a high fast ball..  —  Ramirez stayed in the game and doubled twice, but he said he is considering having surgery …

Peavy wants it now  —  PHOENIX - Thirty minutes after Greg Maddux won for the first time in 11 career starts here, after the San Diego Padres moved into the National League West lead by themselves for the first time in two months, after they'd put a 10-2 beating on the Arizona Diamondbacks …

Pirates Notebook: Bullington caps long road back  —  ST. LOUIS — Bryan Bullington already had lost enough time.  —  He and his family were in Louisville, Ky., yesterday afternoon when he received the word he has been awaiting for two years: He was being called up by the Pirates …

Nats' Bullpen Comes To Rescue Once Again  —  Yesterday afternoon, long after Jason Bergmann worked seven impressive innings and Wily Mo Pe?a homered, Brian Schneider watched the final out fall into the glove of right fielder Austin Kearns and walked directly toward the mound.  Chad Cordero strode toward Schneider.