Source: Scott Boras is out as A-Rod's agent  —  Alex Rodriguez has fired uber agent Scott Boras and is now being represented full time by Pittsburgh attorney Jay Reisinger.  —  Bob Nightengale of USA Today was the first one to run with this this morning, but for reasons that are unclear, the link disappeared as soon as it showed up.

Pedroia expected to have surgery  —  Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is expected to have surgery to insert a screw in his left foot sometime tomorrow at Massachusetts General Hospital according to a major league source.  Pedroia was examined last night by Massachusetts General Hospital foot specialist …

Is it time to push back trading deadline?  —  A dozen GMs weigh in on possible change to system and, naturally, they don't all agree  —  Here's an idea whose time needs to come:  —  Move back the trading deadline.  —  Move it back to Aug. 31.  We'd even settle for Aug. 15.

Dibble done broadcasting Nats  —  MIAMI — Rob Dibble will no longer be broadcasting Nationals games on MASN, a club spokesman said this afternoon.  —  The former Reds reliever, who signed a three-year contract with MASN in 2009, has not called any games since last Tuesday …

Costly repair bills for new Cubs owners  —  Ricketts ownership has them now; question is, what's spending limit?  —  Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts says it's up to general manager Jim Hendry to identify the right guy to replace Lou Piniella as manager.  —  But no matter how good Hendry's new manager is …

Back bothers Rangers starter Cliff Lee  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Texas Rangers starter Cliff Lee complained of back discomfort after Tuesday's start and flew back to Texas to be examined by Keith Meister, the club physician.  —  Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said tests revealed …

Free Agent Stock Watch: Carl Pavano  —  Carl Pavano isn't the best pitcher in the Twins rotation - that honor goes to Francisco Liriano - but he has quietly been one of the best pitchers in the American League this year.  Pavano ranks second in the AL in walk rate (1.5 BB/9), third in innings pitched and 14th in ERA (3.52).

Was last night's Rays outfield the fastest in baseball history?  —  With rosters expanding yesterday the Rays called up speedster Desmond Jennings from Triple-A and started him in right field.  They also had Carl Crawford in left field and B.J. Upton in center field, which has me wondering whether …

Jerry Manuel would love to know his job status … ~ Mike Puma, New York Post  —  Here's the thing about Manuel, how is a difference maker?  What has he done to justify keeping his job?  By the way, being a nice guy and entertaining reporters is not a sufficient answer.  —  I look at Buck Showalter.

Only longevity separates Pujols, Votto  —  Prince Albert has met his 2010 equal in Reds' rising slugger  —  ST. LOUIS — Taken on the merits of their 2010 seasons, very little separates Albert Pujols and Joey Votto, save for eight games in the standings.  —  They are the leading candidates …

Burnett needs U-turn to avoid abyss  —  Wednesday's start could be make or break for Yankees' $82 million man  —  NEW YORK — A.J. Burnett is staring at that Ed Whitson-Hideki Irabu-Kei Igawa abyss.  He is at the edge, looking in at a murky future.  Will he fall in or make a U-turn?

Coach says Mariners were told of Josh Lueke's criminal past  —  The Mariners knew all about Josh Lueke's 96-mph fastball when they acquired him from the Texas Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal.  But Mariners executives insisted they knew nothing before the July 9 trade about the 25-year-old minor …

Latos' 10 K's wasted as skid runs to seven  —  PHOENIX — The glass-half-full approach, which the Padres are sure to take, is as follows: They have 30 games to protect a three-game lead in the National League West.  —  The glass-half-empty approach, which observers back in San Diego can't possible ignore …

Harper: Change may be all Burnett needs  —  For two years, Dave Eiland has been trying to sell A.J. Burnett on the possibilities of a changeup the righthander was often reluctant to throw.  Perhaps it took a dose of desperation for Burnett to buy into those possibilities …

Lincecum outduels Jimenez to propel Giants past Rockies  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pinch-runner Darren Ford (FSY) scored the go-ahead run from second base on a wild pitch and throwing error in the eighth inning, helping Tim Lincecum (FSY) end a career-worst five-start skid …

Hideki Matsui's homer lifts Angels, 4-2  —  His two-run shot barely gets over Ichiro Suzuki and brings Angels from behind against the Mariners.  —  Reporting from Seattle  —  Ichiro Suzuki came within inches of robbing Hideki Matsui of a home run Wednesday night, leaving …

Andy Pettitte has solid bullpen  —  NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte said he had “a great day” in the Yankees bullpen Wednesday.  —  But still, no one can say when he will have his next day on the mound.  —  Pettitte, out of action for more than two months with a left groin strain …