Lou gets wardrobe warning  —  Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona isn't the only one being monitored by Major League Baseball's clothing cops.  —  Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he received a letter last week warning he faces a $1,000 fine should he fail to wear the Cubs' game jersey during games.

Clemens' elbow injury not believed to be serious  —  NEW YORK — Roger Clemens will have a cortisone shot Wednesday on his ailing right elbow and is confident he will be able to pitch for the New York Yankees again this season.  —  Clemens' start was cut short after four innings Monday …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

A Preview of This Year's Free Agent Class: Part One - The Hitters  —  As the baseball season enters the home stretch, I thought it would be a change of pace to take a look at this year's free agent class.  Today's sneak preview focuses on position players.  I will complete the two-part series tomorrow …

Tom Verducci: Will Boston throw caution to the wind with Buchholz?  —  The evolution of pitching — or devolution, depending on your point of view and, likely, your age — took a place in the spotlight last Saturday night as Clay Buchholz became not only a folk hero in Boston but also a premier example …