Riske trade lands Lopez: Club adds left-hander to bullpen  —  MINNEAPOLIS - The Red Sox yesterday made a move in their attempt to bolster a thinning pitching staff by shipping right-handed reliever David Riske to the Chicago White Sox for minor league left-hander and former Sox property Javier Lopez.

Bullpen Coach Wetteland Is Given the Boot  —  The Washington Nationals fired bullpen coach John Wetteland yesterday, a move made at the behest of Manager Frank Robinson, who said he could no longer put up with what he considered to be a long line of transgressions and insubordination that was affecting the chemistry of his relief corps.

Big names not likely to get traded … Two weeks left until July.  And you know what that means.  —  Rumorfest 2006 is about to erupt, any minute now.  —  So we want you to be ready.  We want you to be educated.  We want you to know the truth about all those names you've been hearing and reading and fantasizing about.

An angry Gonzalez shoots down steroid speculation  —  An angry Gonzalez shoots down steroid speculation  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona left fielder Luis Gonzalez reacted angrily Thursday after the Diamondbacks' top executive told a newspaper there have been "whispers" about whether the five-time All-Star used performance-enhancing drugs.

Murton's regular days may be over  —  Platoon with Bynum seen as temporary solution in left field  —  The Cubs gambled Matt Murton could become a regular left fielder in 2006, but the experiment soon may be ending.  —  Manager Dusty Baker inserted Freddie Bynum there Thursday and conceded he was considering a platoon situation.

Not a 'Character Guy,' Bradley Still a Character  —  OAKLAND — Milton Bradley playing on the same field here as the Raiders, now tell me that isn't apropos, and the easy cheap shot.  —  But then I've always liked Bradley, find him engaging and competitive and still maintain he could have become …

Sign of the times  —  Video iPods helping Rockies prep for games  —  DENVER (AP) — Three hours before a start against Florida, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings sits in front of his locker, puts on his headphones and stares at his video iPod.  —  He isn't watching the latest Coldplay video …

Devil Rays prospect Upton facing DUI charge  —  CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect B.J. Upton was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, media outlets in North Carolina reported Friday.  —  Upton, 21, who is playing with the Triple-A Durham Bulls …

Shaky Angels Pull Out a Win  —  They come back to edge the Royals, 3-2, in 10 innings, but problems, especially on defense, continue to mount.  —  The impending rotation decision — should Jered Weaver stay or should he go? — has been the hot topic this week, but the Angels have far …

Another Rookie Mistake by Milledge  —  PHILADELPHIA, June 15 — At the end of this feel-good trip, as the Mets exchanged hugs and high-fives, Manager Willie Randolph wrapped Lastings Milledge in a long headlock.  —  Randolph was having fun with Milledge, not punishing him.

Notes: Barrett sidelined indefinitely  —  Catcher appeals suspension, but out of lineup with ailing back  —  CHICAGO — Catcher Michael Barrett gave his side of the story during a hearing Friday, but he was not in the Cubs' lineup because he injured his back on a swing in the first inning the day before.

Jeter can't win with this crowd  —  Not since last month, when George Steinbrenner uttered those three infamous words - "the third baseman" - has such a brief response to a question sparked debate critical to the health and future of New York baseball (no, make that Western civilization).

With rebuilt mechanics, Rogers rolling  —  Former first-round pick succeeding at Advanced Class A  —  MILWAUKEE — At some point in mid-May, the Brewers' top pitching prospect stepped onto the mound and finally felt like himself again.  —  "I feel really confident now every time I step out on that mound …

Phillies can't simply 'settle' for wild card  —  The nicest thing you can say about the Phillies' performance yesterday is also the most damning thing you can say about them as a team:  —  It is notable that they turned in a competitive, professional performance against the New York Mets.

Under The Knife  —  Two Questions  —  I constantly get asked if I want a job in baseball.  (Seldom does someone in baseball ask it, you'll note.)  I say I have the best job in the world and remind people that I'm the least qualified person I know.  Sure, I dream like every …