Questions remain if Phils will deal Lee  —  Now that Cole Hamels has an extension in Philadelphia and Hanley Ramirez is a Dodger, the baseball industry has latched onto the latest trade deadline fascination.  —  Will the Phillies trade Cliff Lee — again?  —  Four general managers …

Francisco Homers as Braves Beat Marlins 7-1  —  MIAMI (AP) — Juan Francisco homered and drove in three runs, helping the Atlanta Braves beat Miami 7-1 Wednesday after the downsizing Marlins jettisoned yet another star player by trading Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Yankees 3B Chavez to fill in for injured A-Rod … New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he has found a replacement for Alex Rodriguez without even making a phone call to another team.  —  “Eric Chavez is the solution,” Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Wednesday …

Strasburg Ks 11 as Nationals complete sweep of Mets  —  NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 in seven dominant innings, Michael Morse and Danny Espinosa hit consecutive homers and the Washington Nationals completed a sweep of the free-falling New York Mets on Wednesday with a 5-2 victory.

Longoria starting rehab assignment  —  Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Durham.  —  “Finally get to play baseball again,” Longoria said with a smile.  —  Though there's no timetable on how long Longoria's rehab stint will be …

Giants to host semis, final of World Baseball Classic  —  Arizona, Miami join San Francisco as venue sites for 2013 event  —  The Giants will host the semifinals and final of the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  (Getty Images)  —  It is David Wright being tackled …

Texas' Washington: Ryan right about Hamilton  —  Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that he agreed with CEO Nolan Ryan's take earlier this week that Josh Hamilton sometimes gives away at-bats.  —  The manager, on The Ben and Skin Show on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM …

Red Sox won't trade Jon Lester  —  Teams hoping that the Boston Red Sox might be willing to part with left-hander Jon Lester are advised to look elsewhere.  —  Despite his disappointing performance, the Red Sox will not trade Lester, a major league source said Wednesday …

Kevin Correia, Pirates avoid sweep on Garrett Jones' double … PITTSBURGH — Kevin Correia, in jeopardy of losing his spot in Pittsburgh's crowded starting rotation, won his career-best fifth straight start and Garrett Jones hit a tiebreaking double to lead the Pirates over the Chicago Cubs 3-2 Wednesday.

Pujols out of Angels lineup with bruised elbow  —  Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols was not in the starting lineup for Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Kansas City Royals after getting hit on the right elbow by a pitch he swung at the previous night.

Mets demote Mike Nickeas, recall Rob Johnson  —  The Mets announced they have recalled C Rob Johnson from Triple-A Buffalo.  —  To make room on the active roster for Johnson, the Mets optioned C Mike Nickeas to Triple-A Buffalo.  —  In 42 games for the Mets, Nickeas has hit .168 …

Mike Aviles' RBI single in 9th lifts Red Sox over Texas  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - Mike Aviles blooped a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 Tuesday night, ending a four-game losing streak.  —  Red Sox reliever Vicente Padilla …