HCG not found in Manny Ramirez drug test  —  Anti-doping experts say the absence of the drug indicated that the Dodgers outfielder used steroids.  —  No trace of the medicine HCG was found in Manny Ramirez's system at the time of his drug test, three sources with specific knowledge of the results have told The Times.

Ortiz hits a new low by going 0 for 7 in defeat  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - David Ortiz faced his locker and dressed slowly, putting on designer jeans and a blue shirt with a French collar as reporters gathered behind him.  He turned around and saw them.  His head dropped a little.

Dodgers call up LHP Milton  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Eric Milton is heading back to the big leagues after a nearly two-year absence.  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of the veteran left-hander from Triple-A Albuquerque after their 5-3, 10-inning win over the Phillies on Thursday.

Delgado, Putz out; Jose sits  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Carlos Delgado and J.J. Putz could be headed for surgeries, although both hope to play the rest of the season before even considering procedures.  —  Meanwhile, the shorthanded Mets also played without Jose Reyes Thursday night because of right calf pain, which prompted an MRI.

Mets to lean on Sheffield  —  New York (19-15) at San Francisco (18-16), 10:15 p.m. ET  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The havoc that Carlos Delgado's hip injury has wreaked on the Mets now has manager Jerry Manuel scheming.  Knowing that Delgado's absence allows opposing pitchers to take something …

Rusch placed on waivers, Flores likely replacement  —  DENVER — Glendon Rusch is the first major casualty of the Rockies' disappointing start.  According to multiple major league sources, the reliever was placed on waivers after Thursday's loss to the Houston Astros.

Sabathia earns win as Jeter, Matsui return to power Yankees past Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Welcome back, Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui.  —  The two Yankees stars returned from nagging injuries and delivered key hits to lead CC Sabathia and New York past the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Thursday night.

Last offseason's errors catching up with White Sox' Ken Williams  —  Williams' calculated gambles have led to big seasons and busts, but JOE COWLEY sees last offseason's errors catching up to him early  —  CLEVELAND — David Wells in 2001.  That was the answer Paul Konerko …

Marlins to be featured on ‘TWIB’  —  Fast start draws the attention of renowned TV show  —  An 11-1 start to the season will get you some notoriety.  —  For the normally flying-below-the-radar Marlins, it made them the featured team for Saturday's “This Week in Baseball.”

Yankees amend some stadium policies  —  Fans permitted access to certain field-level seats for BP  —  The Yankees have amended some of their Yankee Stadium operational policies, including permitting fans to access certain areas of the field level two hours before games.

Santana is just latest ace who doesn't get help  —  Don Drysdale spent June 4, 1964, attending to personal business, away from his Dodger teammates, so he did not know that Sandy Koufax had pitched a no-hitter until he turned on a late-night television newscast.

Greinke downplays his drawing power  —  Kansas City (18-17) vs. Baltimore (15-20), 7:10 p.m. CT  —  KANSAS CITY — Perhaps the anticipated sellout crowd for Friday night's game can be attributed to Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke.  —  Naw, says Greinke.

Ump apologizes for contact with Ordonez  —  Schrieber put hand on Tiger's back during third-strike dispute  —  Umpire Paul Schrieber apologized Thursday for making contact with the Tigers' Magglio Ordonez during a confrontation Wednesday night.  —  “In yesterday's game …