Source: Cubs' Wood to retire after next outing  —  Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood will retire after his next outing, which could come as soon as Friday, a source familiar with the situation told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine.  —  The Cubs won't force him into a game, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla.

Harang Pitches Dodgers Past Hometown Padres, 8-1  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Aaron Harang held his former team to four hits in seven shutout innings and had one of Los Angeles' 12 hits as the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-1 Thursday night to split a two-game series.

Jays drop Yankees into 4th  —  TORONTO (AP) - Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia each hit two-run home runs, Drew Hutchison won consecutive starts for the first time and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 4-1 Thursday night, sweeping their two-game series.

Will Youkilis finish season with BoSox?  —  I asked two general managers Thursday about Kevin Youkilis.  —  The first said that he would need to see Youkilis play for an extended period before determining whether his team had interest, citing Youkilis' declining offense, defense and health.

Cooperstown Confidential: The tale of Charley Lau  —  Mickey Hatcher had become a polarizing figure in Southern California.  The Angels' manager, Mike Scioscia, felt fierce loyalty to his batting coach, who had worked with him for the past 13 seasons.  Many in the organization liked Hatcher's sense …

Wieters earns break after marathon duty  —  KANSAS CITY — Orioles manager Buck Showalter had a preliminary plan to pencil in Matt Wieters as his starting catcher on Thursday.  But the plan changed after Wieters worked 15 innings in a 4-3 win over the Royals on Wednesday night.

Interleague Play set to add intrigue to season  —  When Jeff Samardzija throws the first pitch for the Cubs in their Friday afternoon game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field, it will signify a powerful and memorable moment for Major League Baseball in 2012: the return of Interleague Play.

Chapman to stay in Reds 'pen for now  —  NEW YORK  —  One day, the Reds promise, left-hander Aroldis Chapman will be a starting pitcher.  But it can't happen yet, not when two of the team's top setup men remain on the disabled list.  And not everyone with the team is certain it should happen it all.

McCutchen, McDonald lead Pirates over Nats 5-3  —  WASHINGTON—James McDonald had a nasty curveball Thursday night, and the Washington Nationals couldn't lay off.  —  McDonald took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out a career-high 11, and the Pittsburgh Pirates got two home runs from Andrew McCutchen in a 5-3 victory.

Lowrie, Happ Lead Astros Past Brewers 4-0  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer and J.A. Happ threw six sharp innings before three relievers completed the Houston Astros' 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.  —  The win wrapped up a two-game sweep for the Astros, who took the opener 8-3.

Venezuelan Links: Mora, Escobar, Cervelli  —  A trio of venezolanos try to claw their way back to la gran carpa.  Yes, that literally translates to “the big carp,” but it also means “the big top.”  Links are in Spanish...  - Melvin Mora will fly to the states this weekend to begin negotiations …

Mets fan arrested for trespassing ... for moving to a better seat  —  My friends and I call it “trading up.”  You've done it before.  Don't lie.  A little late in a game.  House only half full.  You move down to better seats.  No harm, no foul.  —  Unless you're in Citi Field, where it's a criminal trespassing beef.