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 …

GM Ben Cherington eager for 1st draft  —  Ben Cherington will begin accumulating future members of the Red Sox [team stats] franchise using the familiar methods of the past.  —  The first-year general manager will preside over his initial Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft …

Carlos Beltran makes first return to Citi Field  —  The hotly anticipated return of Carlos Beltran to Citi Field could fizzle Friday night if the Cardinals rightfielder isn't over the right knee pain that kept him out of the lineup Wednesday.  —  Beltran, who spent 6 1/2 seasons with the Mets …

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 …

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.

Edgar Mercedes, Trainer Of Yoenis Cespedes, Arrested In Dominican Republic  —  Edgar Mercedes, the powerful Dominican trainer who represented Yoenis Cespedes and has been a part of some of baseball's most expensive international amateur signings, was arrested yesterday in the Dominican Republic …

Feldman, Lowe to hit trade market for pitching-rich Rangers, who seek righty bat  —  With Roy Oswalt now in the fold and hard-throwing prospect Tanner Scheppers pitching well at Triple-A Round Rock, the Rangers are expected to make right-handed pitchers Scott Feldman and Mark Lowe available …

Swag party: Baseball's rise in on-field antics annoy some  —  Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson had the swagger, the strut and all of the gaudy statistics to back up his act.  —  Yet he watches baseball games today at the age of 66 and bemoans how the velvet ropes of flamboyance are being trampled by almost anyone wearing a uniform.

Epstein: Cubs not considering trade of Castro  —  CHICAGO — Despite a published report Thursday that might have suggested otherwise, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said star shortstop Starlin Castro isn't expected to be going anywhere in the near future.

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.