Efforts stepped up to trade Youkilis  —  The sooner the Red Sox can get back to a set lineup - one that doesn't include juggling Adrian Gonzalez between first base and right field and Kevin Youkilis between first and third - the better.  —  That's why the Sox have stepped up their efforts to deal Youkilis.

Prospects pack rosters for Futures Game  —  Last year, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout were the main attractions at the XM All-Star Futures Game in Arizona.  The top two prospects in baseball in one outfield at the same time appeared to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rays Claim Brooks Conrad  —  The Rays claimed Brooks Conrad off of waivers from Milwaukee, the Brewers announced.  The Brewers, who removed Conrad from their 40-man roster two days, ago, announced that they're recalling right-hander Mike McClendon.  —  Conrad, 32, has appeared in 25 games …

NY Mets done helping Yankees by sweeping Rays and Orioles, eye sweep in Subway Series  —  Ike Davis: 'Losing to the Yankees is no different than losing to Colorado.  What stings is losing to the Marlins.  They're in our division.'  —  Maybe it's false bravado, or maybe he's telling the truth …

Troy Tulowitzki surgery goes well, remains out 6-8 weeks  —  PHILADELPHIA — Troy Tulowitzki underwent successful surgery to remove scar tissue irritating a nerve on his left groin today in Philadelphia.  No other issues were discovered.  Conservative estimates call for a six-week absence, but the Rockies are bracing for eight weeks.

Rogers wants to bring MLB Network to Canada  —  Rogers Communications, which owns the Toronto Blue Jays and Sportsnet, wants to bring the MLB Network to Canada.  —  The cable giant is sponsoring the baseball channel's application to the Canadian Radio-Television and Communications commission …

Dealing King Felix not so crazy  —  The Mariners in recent weeks touched base with the Cubs on shortstop Starlin Castro, asked the Royals about designated hitter Billy Butler, talked to other clubs about other hitters.  —  None of the talks progressed, according to major league sources.

MLB hits Rays' Peralta with eight-game ban  —  WASHINGTON — Joel Peralta's punishment was administered Thursday afternoon when Major League Baseball slapped the Rays reliever with an eight-game suspension for “possessing a foreign substance on his glove.”  —  Peralta was ejected …

Berry's Hit Gives Tigers 2-1 Win Over Cards in 10  —  DETROIT (AP) — Quintin Berry hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 10th inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.  —  Ramon Santiago and Jhonny Peralta hit one-out singles off Victor Marte (0-1) …

Gossage: Clemens lied, doesn't belong in HOF  —  NEW YORK — Hall of Famer Rich “Goose” Gossage says Roger Clemens should never make it to Cooperstown.  —  Gossage said Thursday during a radio interview that he believes Clemens has lied about his steroid use, labeling the seven …

Why Do First Basemen Get Paid So Much?  —  This April, Joey Votto signed a contract to man first base for the Reds for the next 12 years.  For context, a dozen years ago, Jeff Bagwell was the first baseman who had just led the league in WAR.  Votto is unlikely to be very productive in 2023, but the Reds already know this.

Visualization: How Matt Cain's perfect game stands in baseball history  —  If a pitcher strikes out 14 batters in a single game, it'll be the lead story on every sports news program of the night.  After all, it's only happened a few hundred times in baseball history.