'It's like playing with fire' … Paxton Crawford was a top pitching prospect who went 5-1 in 15 games for the Red Sox in 2000 and 2001.  Then back problems — which he blames on steroid use — derailed the right-hander's career, which ended in the minors in 2005.

Mariotti takes Sox, Sun-Times to task  —  Columnist also says Guillen should be suspended for slur  —  A day after Ozzie Guillen slammed him in an obscenity-laced tirade, Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti fired back at the White Sox.  —  That response was expected.

The Mets Are In The Zone  —  FLUSHING, NY - Michael Jordan had it and Tiger Woods may have lost it, but at one time or another, great players experience what they call "The Zone."  —  It's something David Wright felt on occasion this season.  —  "Everything slows down," Wright explained.

Little Asks Izturis to Switch to Third Base  —  The Dodgers, unsure whether Bill Mueller will play again this season and unconvinced that Willy Aybar can play third base every day, told Cesar Izturis on Tuesday that he is their new third baseman.  —  "That's the only spot we've got," Izturis said.

Finding out what it's like to be the Melk Man  —  NEW YORK - Melky Cabrera began playing baseball at age 3, with a stick and a rock and a plea to anyone who visited the family's humble roadside home on Carretera Sanchez, in the village of Haina, not far from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Notes: Confidence in bullpen  —  Francona expresses desire to give young relievers responsibility  —  BOSTON — As Craig Hansen stood in front of his locker in the Red Sox clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, he hoped this would be the last time he would have to answer questions about returning to the big-league roster.

La Russa: Pujols should be ready to play Monday  —  CHICAGO — Albert Pujols should be ready to come off the disabled list and play by Monday when the St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series at home against the Cleveland Indians, manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday.  —  "Sooner than that?

Baseball Smarts: The Best Percentage Players in the Game  —  Who do you think is the smartest player in baseball?  That's kind of a difficult question to answer, because it depends on what you mean by "smartest."  Miguel Batista writes poetry and reads books on Mahatma Gandhi and Josh Phelps …

Youth is served in Futures Game rosters  —  Maybin, Liz and Hughes to take field on All-Star Sunday  —  They come from all over the world and are at different stages of their professional careers but have one thing in common — Major League potential.  —  The 50 Minor Leaguers that adorn …

Zambrano takes on the Tribe  —  Chicago Cubs (27-43) at Cleveland (32-38), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  CLEVELAND — Manager Dusty Baker hopes to see the economical Carlos Zambrano against the Indians on Wednesday night.  —  Zambrano got a no-decision in his last start, on June 15 against Houston.

Prospectus Matchups  —  In a Pinch  —  Closest Matchup (opponents closest to one another in the Prospectus Hit List rankings): Minnesota Twins (20th) @ Houston Astros (23rd)  —  Back when interleague play was just a bad idea floating around the ether, the most popular argument in its favor went like this …

Call to arms  —  Call to arms  —  Somewhere, among all the rumors circulating throughout baseball and in the myriad of general managers' telephone conversations, a pitcher's name is mentioned.  —  And then, almost as soon as it begins, the talk stalls and nothing worthwhile comes of it.

Yanks' eye on Jacque  —  PHILADELPHIA - It's no secret the Yankees have several glaring needs, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to fill them on the trade market.  —  One source said GM Brian Cashman is running into the same wall on almost every call he makes …

Daily Transactions  —  Placed LHP Terry Mulholland and RHP Russ Ortiz on unconditional waivers.  Placed OF Scott Hairston on the 15-day DL.  Recalled RHP Casey Daigle from Tucson of the PCL.  —  Boston Red Sox  —  Acquired RHP Jason Johnson and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash.