Dodgers add Kuo to NLCS roster  —  Southpaw could neutralize Philly's lethal lefty bats; Saito left off  —  PHILADELPHIA — Closer Takashi Saito's comeback from elbow problems was derailed Thursday when he was left off the Dodgers' roster for the National League Championship Series …

Facts About Manny Ramirez  —  Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver joined the chorus-well, actually he stepped in front of the chorus, grabbed a mike, waved down the band and called for a spotlight-Wednesday, slamming Manny Ramirez based largely on the same secondhand stories that have passed around for more than two months.

Armstrong opens up about club's future  —  President expounds on GM search, direction of Mariners  —  SEATTLE — Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said this week that an intense determination to get the Mariners back on course via a “collaborative and inclusive” management style that worked …

Dodgers / Phills  —  Rob Neyer and David Cohen both make convincing cases that Philadelphia is every bit the team Los Angeles is and then some.  Here's Rob: … And here's David: … Ok, let's dig a little deeper now.  Here are some relevant numbers for the final few months of the season.

RUSSO: BELTRAN/CANO DEAL IN THE WORKS?  —  Frank Russo, on New York Baseball Digest Radio's Yankee Special, mentioned that his connections have shared that the Mets are accepting inquiries for Carlos Beltran.  And, further, according to Russo, his sources have also shared that there's a rumor …

Mets' Burgos to be jailed 3 months awaiting trial  —  NAGUA, Dominican Republic — New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos will be jailed for three months while awaiting trial for a hit-and-run accident that killed two women.  —  The 24-year-old reliever told The Associated Press …

Twins Exercise Club Option on Mike Redmond  —  MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Twins announced Thursday that they have exercised the club option on catcher Mike Redmond for the 2009 season.  Redmond appeared in 38 games for the Twins in 2008, batting .287 (37-for-129) with six doubles and 12 RBIs.

Pushing The Narratives  —  The benefit of my current work schedule is the ability to watch Pardon the Interruption, which remains the only ESPN piece of programming worth investing too much time in.  SportsCenter is not as essential as it used to be; much of the analyst shows focused on individual sports are background fodder.

Reds clear three off 40-man roster  —  Cabrera refuses Triple-A assignment, becomes free agent  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds have moved three players off their 40-man roster this week.  —  Utility player Jolbert Cabrera and pitchers Adam Pettyjohn and Jon Adkins were sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.

MOOSE MIGHT NOT QUIT  —  Yankee staff members have heard Mike Mussina say he is retiring.  However, Mussina hasn't officially announced this past season - when he won 20 games for the first time in a borderline Hall of Fame career - was his last.  —  Mussina, who will be 40 in December …

Cubs pick up Harden's '09 option  —  Led Major League pitchers with .183 batting average against  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs took care of one offseason project Wednesday and picked up the $7 million option for pitcher Rich Harden for 2009.  —  If the Cubs had not picked up the option …