Lucchino: Bobby Valentine will remain Sox manager  —  Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino made clear today that he's “not going to walk away” from manager Bobby Valentine and that the embattled skipper would remain on the job for the rest of the season.

BALCO founder Victor Conte says Melky Cabrera's positive testosterone test not surprising, many more dopers are flying under radar  —  Conte calls synthetic testosterone, which is what San Francisco outfielder is believed to have tested positive for ‘biggest loophole in drug testing.’

Dan Duquette on O's pitching philosophy: “We don't like the cutter”  —  In an interview with Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette on Wednesday at Camden Yards, Duquette made it clear he is not a fan of young pitchers throwing cut fastballs.

Reddick out of A's lineup with tooth issue  —  Melvin takes the opportunity to give his outfielder a needed day off  —  KANSAS CITY — Josh Reddick is down a tooth, and it meant the A's were down a middle-of-the-order hitter for Wednesday night's game against the Royals.

Giants' waiver options are slim  —  Alfonso Soriano indicated to Chicago Cubs beat writers on Wednesday that he would not waive his no-trade rights for the San Francisco Giants.  —  Other external options will be available to the Giants if they seek to replace left fielder Melky Cabrera …

Blue Jays send Comer to Astros to complete swap  —  Right-hander was selected 57th overall in 2011 First-Year Player Draft  —  Kevin Comer had 29 strikeouts and just eight walks in 43 1/3 innings with Bluefield.  (Dano Keeney/ MiLB.com)  —  The Blue Jays and Astros completed …

Reds hit three homers to back Leake over Mets  —  CINCINNATI, Ohio — Scott Rolen and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back home runs, and Mike Leake pitched his second complete game of the season, helping the Cincinnati Reds extend their win streak to five with a 6-1 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.

FUENTES LEAVES CARDINALS  —  The Cardinals do not expect lefty Brian Fuentes to return to the team this season after the pitcher notified club officials on Monday that he had to attend to a personal matter at home in California and would not be reporting to the ballpark.

Cardinals Beat Diamondbacks 5-2  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright allowed two runs in six innings and the St. Louis Cardinals got home runs from David Freese and Allen Craig in a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.  —  Rafael Furcal's two-run triple in the sixth gave the Cards a three-run lead.

Umpire Gibson exits after freak play at the plate  —  Greg Gibson needed stitches and went for precautionary X-rays after Torii Hunter rolled into the umpire with his cleat.  (Getty)  —  ANAHEIM — Home-plate umpire Greg Gibson was knocked out of Wednesday's game at Angel Stadium …