Yankees bringing Wang back early  —  Chien-Ming Wang will be back with the Yankees for Friday night's game against the Phillies.  —  After Joba Chamberlain's first-inning knee injury drained the bullpen on Thursday night, the Yankees ordered Wang - who was on his way to Pawtucket …

Gammons: Sox have discussed a Delcarmen for Johnson swap with Nationals  —  Here's a transcript of ESPN's Peter Gammons during his regular Friday morning visit with the Mike and Mike Show on ESPN radio.  There is some good stuff in here, including:  —A clear denial that Indians players Victor Martiner and Cliff are on the market.

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 …

Dodgers call up Jamie Hoffmann, according to Hoffmann's dad's deputy  —  Dodger Thoughts commenter Underdog passes along this report from the Mankato Free-Press: … By the way, if you read further, “the Hauser case” is quite a story.  —  As for who is going off the roster ... could this be the end of Guillermo Mota?

Acta holds meeting with Nationals  —  Skipper brings club together during tough stretch  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Manny Acta decided to hold a team meeting before Thursday's game against the Pirates, giving his team a pep talk about playing the game the right way.

Joba exits; X-rays on knee negative  —  Girardi ‘hopeful’ righty won't miss start after liner strikes leg  —  NEW YORK — A fist pump turned out to be the least of Joba Chamberlain's concerns.  —  The Yankees right-hander experienced an abbreviated outing against the Orioles on Thursday …

Raissman: Off field, meanies are in play  —  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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

When Samples Become Reliable  —  One of the most difficult tasks a responsible baseball analyst must take on involves avoiding small samples of data to make definitive claims about a player.  If Victor Martinez goes 4-10, it does not automatically make him a .400 hitter.

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