Sources: Jake Peavy rejects trade to the White Sox  —  A source close to the Jake Peavy camp said today that the ace pitcher has notified the San Diego Padres that he will not accept the trade to the South Side, apparently killing the deal that would have sent four players west and put Peavy in black and white.

Sans Joba, Yanks roll to ninth straight  —  Offense carries weight after righty exits; X-rays negative  —  NEW YORK — Even the loss of Joba Chamberlain after just 14 pitches could not short-circuit the Yankees' feel-good homestand.  —  The Yankees overcame Chamberlain's early injury exit …

On Reyes, Mets see short wait  —  BOSTON - Pedro Martinez was a main story line the last time the Mets visited Fenway Park.  This weekend, it's Ramon Martinez who is a focal point.  Or, more precisely, the player he may need to fill in for at shortstop during the interleague series …

Wang will get another Triple-A start  —  Joe Girardi just announced that Chien-Ming Wang will start tomorrow night . . . for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Pawtucket.  —  The Yankees feel Wang's stuff is not ready to face big-league hitters.  —  Phil Hughes will pitch Monday against the Rangers in Arlington.

Texas Rangers want Josh Hamilton back as soon as possible  —  DETROIT — Manager Ron Washington and bench coach Jackie Moore stood next to the batting cage as Josh Hamilton took batting practice Thursday before the Texas Rangers lost their third straight game to the Detroit Tigers.

Raissman: Yankees Insecurity  —  The combination of the Yankees' Fun Bunch and the team's winning ways has provided the perfect antidote to high ticket prices and empty seats.  Why bash Bombers brass over business affairs when the media can celebrate the latest pin-striped hero to be whacked in the face with a whipped cream pie?

Jerry Manuel always taking notes on his players  —  Manuel's managing style involves knowing his players, and it is that data, compiled long before the game's first pitch, that leads to his decisions.  (Photo by David Pokress)  —  The Mets will be strangers in a strange land during …

It's lights out for Cubs  —  MAY 21, 2009 — Albert Pujols hits a solo home run in the first inning of Thursday's game between the Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium.  At right is Chicago catcher Geovany Soto.  (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Cubs could move Soriano to second base ‘as last resort’  —  ST. LOUIS — Lou Piniella has a contingency plan in case Mike Fontenot's hitting slump continues — and his name is Alfonso Soriano.  —  Piniella said he could move Soriano to second base and stick Micah Hoffpauir in left field.

Hurdle: A manager on the hot seat  —  GM O'Dowd gives his manager the benefit of the doubt for now  —  Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says it's unfair to blame manager Clint Hurdle, above, for all the inept play.  (Getty Images file photo)  —  ATLANTA — With each loss, manager Clint Hurdle's job is becoming more tenuous.

Players express interleague angst  —  Most think annual NL-AL schedule is in dire need of a makeover  —  Another must-see edition of interleague play (insert your favorite Rockies-Tigers joke here) begins this weekend.  And here's something you might not know:

Final: Red Sox 5, Jays 1  —  SOX SWEEP (10:05, END 9, 5-1 SOX)  —  Jonathan Papelbon pitched a the ninth, allowing only a single to Hill, to close the game out, giving the Red Sox a sweep over first-place Toronto.  Jason Bay hit his 13th home run of the season, a two-blast to right-centerfield on the first inning.

Optimal Fastball-Changeup Speed Separation  —  A large part of the success of a changeup is assumed to be based on its deceptive nature.  Hitters expect a fastball based on the changeup's delivery and movement, but the pitch is about 10% slower.  This throws off the hitter's timing, hopefully causing him to whiff or make poor contact.

Jackson getting over Valley fever, pneumonia  —  MIAMI - After seeing three doctors, Diamondbacks outfielder Conor Jackson finally has found some answers to the “general illness” that landed him on the disabled list last week.  —  Jackson said he was told after seeing an infectious-disease doctor …