Cubs all wet, win 2-0 after four-plus-hour rain delay  —  Leave it to the Cubs to have a rain delay that winds up on Deadspin.  —  As Tuesday night slipped into Wednesday morning at Wrigley Field, the Cubs remained stuck on the fifth inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants …

Mets avoid embarrassing offensive record but not another loss, falling to Athletics, 6-2  —  The seven hits snapped a streak of five straight games with four hits or less in a game.  That already tied a franchise record with the 2004 and 1963 Mets having those streaks.

Bids escalating for Cuban defector Castillo  —  As the pursuit of Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo reaches its final days, several clubs told ESPN.com on Wednesday that they believe the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants have emerged …

MLB Makes Significant Rule Changes For International Players  —  In what appears to be an attempt to crack down on an industry trend of early agreements well before July 2, Major League Baseball has changed its rules with regards to how teams can evaluate international amateur players.

Bautista, Blue Jays outslug Brewers to split two-game series  —  MILWAUKEE — Jose Bautista's three-run homer capped a five-run sixth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays outslugged Milwaukee 9-5 Wednesday, snapping the Brewers' five-game winning streak.  —  Bautista hit a 1-2 pitch …

Indians' Swisher having surgery on both knees, out for season  —  CLEVELAND — Nick Swisher's disappointing second season with the Indians is over.  —  Swisher underwent surgery on both knees Wednesday, procedures the first baseman/outfielder hopes will alleviate pain and prolong his career.

Lohse, Garza have return dates in sight  —  MILWAUKEE — Target dates were in sight Tuesday for the returns of Brewers starter Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza from injuries.  The team hopes to restore Lohse to the rotation next week in San Diego after he missed a start with a sore ankle …

CarGo has surgery, might not be ready by spring  —  DENVER — Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had the middle third of the left patella tendon repaired and a bursa sac removed in a surgery on Monday.  Head athletic trainer Keith Dugger cautioned that it won't be known for months if Gonzalez …

Phils president: GM Amaro ‘not on the hot seat’  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies might have the third-highest payroll in baseball, but they are going to miss the postseason for the third consecutive year.  —  But Phillies president David Montgomery's support for general manager Ruben Amaro Jr …

Leverage Matters: When to Invest in the Bullpen  —  Koji Uehara's value will differ depending on the team that signs him (via Keith Allison).  —  Who was the best pitcher in the American League in 2013?  —  By WAR, it was Max Scherzer, although teammate Anibal Sanchez had a better ERA, and Yu Darvish had more strikeouts.