Notes: Blake will go on disabled list  —  Outfielder strained oblique during Wednesday's batting practice  —  NEW YORK — A muscle strain in Casey Blake's left side will open the door for Franklin Gutierrez to join the Indians on Friday.  —  The Indians announced Thursday that Blake …

Red Sox acquire lefthanded pitcher Javier Lopez from Chicago White Sox for righthander David Riske  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today acquired lefthanded pitcher Javier Lopez from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for righthanded pitcher David Riske.  Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein made the announcement.

Wetteland let go as bullpen coach  —  Former closer had disagreements with manager Robinson  —  WASHINGTON — After Thursday's loss to the Rockies, the Nationals dismissed bullpen coach John Wetteland because of philosophical differences with manager Frank Robinson.

Moore making his mark  —  Royals' new GM has taken low-key approach to reshaping team.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. |  - ANAHEIM, Calif. |  It's been a week now since Dayton Moore took control as general manager of the Royals at that infamously contentious news conference at Kauffman Stadium.

Wakefield will try to salvage finale  —  Boston (36-27) at Minnesota (30-34), 8:10 p.m. ET  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Red Sox manager Terry Francona is hoping Tim Wakefield, or any of his starters for that matter, can give him quality starts on a regular basis.  —  With Keith Foulke on the 15 …

Billingsley solid in debut as LA wins  —  Dodgers break through in seventh to salvage finale  —  SAN DIEGO — If it didn't match the drama and degree of difficulty of Edwin Jackson's winning birthday debut against Randy Johnson three years ago, Chad Billingsley came a close second Thursday based on clubhouse reviews.

Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds  —  Twins trade infielder Castro to Reds  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins traded infielder Juan Castro back to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for minor league outfielder Brandon Roberts.  —  Castro was batting .231 with five doubles …

Future Shock  —  With the 2006 draft finally over, and the bigger contract negotiations left to the scouting directors and upper management, many scouts step away from the amateur side of things for awhile to begin their pro coverage.  With that in mind, here's what some of the top talent evaluators …

Notes: Bynum solid option for left field  —  Williamson sees action; Barrett's appeal to be heard Friday  —  CHICAGO — Freddie Bynum started in left field on Thursday and could see more playing time there in the future.  —  Cubs manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that the left-handed Bynum …

Report: Rookie to be demoted for missing Blalock  —  White Sox rookie pitcher Sean Tracey got into hot water with his manager Ozzie Guillen — for getting an out.  —  Tracey was summoned to start the seventh inning and got Hank Blalock to ground out, but getting an out might not have been the reason Tracey was brought into the game.

Things to Do in Atlanta When You're Dead  —  At MetsBlog, Matt Cerrone has some fun with David O'Brien's Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog about the free-falling Atlanta Braves and the growing discord in their clubhouse and among their fans.  Cerrone gets a real kick out of the fan comments …

Big Unit suspended suspended five games; Torre one  —  Randy Johnson was suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at the Indians' Eduardo Perez on Wednesday night.  Yankees manager Joe Torre was also suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount …

Home Runs In A Minor Key  —  Ernie Young entered the season as the minor league home run leader, and when he connected with a Brian Slocum fastball in Charlotte Monday night for his 300th, he became that club's only active member.  —  Young, 36, had learned just this spring that the career mark is 484 …

Magadan relieved of duties as hitting coach  —  With a batting average that ranks 12th in the 16-team National League, a team slugging average that's dead last and not one regular player hitting above .300, the Padres have been a disappointment offensively, referred to often as the Popgun Padres