Mets prospect Rafael Montero roughed up in blowout loss to Nationals  —  Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond, Anthony Rendon and Michael Taylor homered for the Nationals.  Montero gave up three of those home runs.  —  Ninety wins?  That has not looked like a possibility in Flushing for months now.

Mets manager Terry Collins likely coming back for 2015  —  Terry Collins is likely to be brought back for a fifth season as Mets manager in 2015, sources familiar with the situation say.  —  While the Mets are planning to bring Collins back to manage, officials in the know say …

Pimentel has potential if he can harness it  —  Although he still has rookie status, Pirates right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel signed his first international free-agent contract in 2006.  Born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Pimentel is still only 24 years old and has already …

How a small-time handicapper concocted a wild MLB game-fixing tale  —  Kris Barr was investigated by MLB for alleging a game-fixing operation with Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke.  —  In the waning days of the 2012 major league season, Niki Congero received an unusual text message.

Cosart directed not to swing throughout start  —  After hurting back during at-bat in first NL outing, Marlins take no chances with pitcher  —  MIAMI — No signs from third-base coach Brett Butler were needed when Jarred Cosart stepped into the batter's box on Tuesday night.

Pirates Claim Ramon Cabrera  —  The Pirates have claimed catcher Ramon Cabrera off waivers from the Tigers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports on Twitter.  Cabrera was placed on waivers after being designated for assignment to create 40-man space for the promotion of spot starter Buck Farmer, Beck adds.

Building around Stanton high Marlins priority  —  MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton is heating up again, and so is speculation about his long-term future.  —  We've been down this road before, and will continue to do so until the slugger either signs an extension with the Marlins, or moves elsewhere.

Jayson Werth apparently has speeding problems  —  In addition to a sore shoulder that has been bothering him for the past few weeks and led to another scratch from the Nats lineup on Tuesday (he left the clubhouse at Citi Field in street clothes), it seems Jayson Werth also has speeding problems.

Pineda returns as Yankees wrap short set with Orioles on TSN  —  The Sports Network  —  The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees will conclude a rain-shortened series at Camden Yards Wednesday night.  —  Catch the action live on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt.  —  Tuesday's middle test …

Color of money won't determine Jon Lester's future  —  Offers will roll in, but ace's door still open to Red Sox return  —  Photo by:  —  Jon Lester delivers a pitch during his victory over the Kansas City Royals last night.  The former Red Sox ace has not closed the door on a return to Boston in the offseason.

How Burke Badenhop uses Pitch F/X data  —  tbritton@providencejournal.com  —  CINCINNATI — After he finishes pitching, one of the first things Burke Badenhop does is fire up BrooksBaseball.net — a website dedicated to tracking pitcher performance.  —  Badenhop first learned of the site …

Scapegoating the Shift for the Decline in Offense  —  Defensive shifts such as this are commonplace now (via GabboT).  —  As defensive shifts have become more pervasive in baseball, so has the mystique surrounding their supposed effect.  —  Early this year, Jonah Keri identified defensive shifts …

Nolasco penciled in to rejoin rotation Friday  —  Veteran right-hander has been out since early July with sore elbow  —  HOUSTON — Ricky Nolasco is the probable starter Friday night for the Twins, manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday.  Minnesota opens a four-game series that night against the Royals …