CHERINGTON: YOUKILIS TRADE REPORT ‘INACCURATE’  —  General manager Ben Cherington denied a report that the Red Sox were telling teams they “definitely intend to trade” Kevin Youkilis.  —  “That's inaccurate,” Cherington e-mailed WEEI.com Friday afternoon.  “Some teams have checked in on him.

Selig, Reinsdorf talk to Harrelson about rant … Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf talked to television announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson in the wake of his on-air outburst against umpire Mark Wegner.  —  “I talked to Bud Selig yesterday …

As Carlos Beltran returns, Mets underwent long, winding process to land on trade that netted Zack Wheeler  —  On his final evening as a New York Met, hours before a seismic shift in franchise history, Carlos Beltran gathered with more than two dozen teammates and coaches inside a tiny Cincinnati steakhouse.

Baseball's biggest stars are hurting  —  Disabled list is overflowing with some of the highest-paid players in the game … Jered Weaver ... Roy Halladay ... Chipper Jones.  —  It isn't quite true that every multi-time All-Star in baseball wound up on the disabled list this week — but it seemed like it.

Stakes even higher for trades this year  —  The Brewers were more than willing to trade two top prospects for left-hander CC Sabathia in July 2008, and not simply because they were getting one of the best pitchers in the game.  —  No, the Brewers also knew that they could possibly replace the youngsters …

Nearing callup, Vlad promoted to Triple-A  —  TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero is one step closer to getting back in the Major Leagues.  —  The veteran designated hitter was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday morning following a successful stint with Class A Dunedin.

With money to spend, Dodgers will seek pitcher, hitter (and keep eye on Hamels)  —  The financial power of the Dodgers' new ownership group could really be seen on next winter's free-agent market, where the team is expected to go all-out in an effort to sign Cole Hamels.

Mock draft 3.0  —  Astros still narrowing down candidates for the No. 1 overall pick  —  This is my third of four mock drafts, and nothing is settled in the top five, including the first pick.  The next (and final) projected first round will be Monday morning, updated later that day if anything …

Cleveland Indians could have Roberto Hernandez back by All-Star break  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — A lobbyist working on behalf of Roberto Hernandez, the Indians pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, said he could be back in the United States by the All-Star break.

CarGo sets Rox mark with four straight homers  —  DENVER — Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez swatted a three-run homer off the Astros' Bud Norris in his first at-bat Thursday night at Coors Field to set a Rockies record by going deep in his fourth straight at-bat.