Yankees unsure of Pettitte return date  —  DETROIT — With Ivan Nova getting spanked the past two outings and Freddy Garcia failing to provide consistent length, the Yankees' rotation requires a boost.  —  That is expected to be supplied by Andy Pettitte, but general manager Brian Cashman …

Haggerty: Signs are there that Sox are giving up on the season  —  CLEVELAND - So this is what happens when a baseball team gives up all pretense of hope for a season, or caring about how they're perceived.  —  Sure, there were still angry competitors raging against the dying of the 2012 Red Sox dream.

Red Sox Sign Dedgar Jimenez For $175,000  —  The Red Sox have signed Dedgar Jimenez, a 16-year-old Venezuelan lefthander, for $175,000.  —  Jimenez has an extra-large, David Wells-type frame listed at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds.  He has represented Venezuela at international youth tournaments since he was 10 …

Palmeiro supports Clemens, Bonds  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Former Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro said Friday that Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds should be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  —  Both Clemens and Bonds will be eligible for the first time starting in 2013.

THE CARDS' SEARCH FOR A SHORTSTOP  —  In the seven First-Year Player Drafts directed by Jeff Luhnow, the St. Louis Cardinals twice used a first-round pick on a shortstop who they believed would not only remain at the premium position but develop into a big-league option when the team needed a shortstop.

Despite claims, no record of Nova asst. playing  —  Villanova is looking into whether assistant coach Doug Martin may have given incorrect information in his bio submitted to the university and posted online on the school's athletic department website.  —  Villanova coach Jay Wright told ESPN.com …

Mets roster lacks building blocks  —  Mets on Twitter  —  This was always a season of discovery for the Mets.  —  Sure, upper management wanted to sell hope in spring because, well, which organization doesn't — particularly among those in financial distress?

Amaro doesn't have many options at third for Phillies in 2013  —  When Ruben Amaro Jr. recently engaged a few of his rival general managers in discussions, the topic of third base arose, and they all reached one conclusion: It is a difficult position to fill.  —  “Somebody's going to play there,” Amaro said.

Call it the never-ending debate  —  Should Nationals shut down Stephen Strasburg?  Or just let him continue to pitch?  —  The first thing you need to know about Stephen Strasburg's Shutdown Day is that it's GOING to happen.  —  No matter how loudly you scream, no matter how eloquently you argue …

The Stories You'd Be Reading If The First Half Didn't Exist  —  If the first half of the season didn't exist, what sort of silly narratives would you be reading right now?  —  In April, all baseball writers can do is react to small samples.  It's an ugly secret that no one really likes to talk about.

Prospect Hot Sheet: Aug. 10  —  Why He's Here: .500/.577/1.045 (11-for-22), 2 HR, 2 3B, 2 2B, 5 RBIs, 9 R, 4 BB, 1 SO  —  The Scoop: Not reflected in the line above is Machado's big league debut for Baltimore yesterday in which he went 2-for-4 with a triple and made his first career start at third base.