Nationals Trade Snelling To A's  —  The Washington Nationals traded outfielder Chris Snelling to Oakland for outfielder Ryan Langerhans on Wednesday night, a move that gives the club a superb defensive outfielder less than a week before center fielder Nook Logan is slated to come back from a foot injury.

Cramp puts a crimp in Lester's latest tuneup  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Jon Lester was probably going to be optioned to Triple A Pawtucket after last night's final rehab start against Indianapolis anyway.  But if there was any hesitation on the part of the Red Sox' brass, it was likely dispelled …

Report: Yanks starter Pavano to visit Dr. Andrews  —  The black and white of the pinstripes is more like dominoes these days because that's how the Yankees are falling.  —  It seemed the injury news could not get any worse but a New York Times report on Wednesday said that starter Carl Pavano plans …

Okajima named AL Rookie of the Month  —  Rookie reliever allowed only five hits in 12 April appearances  —  Most people saw this coming.  Boston's rookie pitcher from Japan has some nasty stuff, sure to earn him the American League Rookie of the Month Award for April.  But hold on a second — it's not Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Yankees, Hurting, See Culprit: The Fitness Coach  —  It was a normal day for most of the people in the Yankees' clubhouse here on Wednesday.  Some players watched video of their swings, others studied crossword puzzles or talked on cellphones.  Only the ashen, somewhat anonymous figure in street clothes observed a different routine.

Pirates Notebook: McLeary coming to replace Wasdin  —  Right fielder Ryan Doumit just misses making a running catch on a foul ball hit by the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez yesterday at PNC Park.  —  Marty McLeary will be promoted today to take John Wasdin's place in the Pirates' bullpen.

Oliver wields arm & hammer  —  Perez fans 10, gets 2 hits in Mets win  —  Oliver Perez already was out of his element, standing on first base in the fourth inning yesterday.  The young lefthander is at home on the mound, not the basepaths, so he gets a pass for what came next.

Perez Trade Ranks as One of Mets' Best  —  Is there any pitcher in baseball more liable to inspire someone to punch a wall than Oliver Perez?  —  Generally, you can tell how good a pitcher is by how well he repeats his delivery.  The next time you're at the ballpark watching a really good pitcher …

Future Shock: Unpaid Hazards by Kevin Goldstein  —  Unpaid Hazards  —  In Sunday's draft notebook, I characterized Missouri State southpaw Ross Detwiler as a "safe and solid pick."  For saying so, I got taken to task by a reader, who asked just how safe any pitcher can really be.

Reyes named NL's top player for April  —  Shortstop Jose Reyes is the engine that makes the Mets offense run.  Batting leadoff, it's the 23-year-old's responsibility to jumpstart one of the National League's most powerful offenses.  —  And that's exactly what Reyes did in the first month of the 2007 season.

Stark: Rumblings and Grumblings  —  Reyes could steal 100 bases, but he won't … Our favorite Mets speed demon, Jose Reyes, is on pace to steal 106 bases.  It says so right there on his ESPN.com player card.  —  There are 20 teams right now that aren't on pace to swipe that many.

Prospect Q&A: Chase Wright  —  Chase Wright was a part of baseball history at Fenway Park on April 22, although not in a way he'd have preferred.  Making the second appearance of his big league career, the Yankees lefthander gave up home runs to four consecutive Red Sox batters in the third inning.

Put a lid on it, Tom!  But please, make it a Sox lid  —  Say it ain't so, Tom!  —  The ever-vigilant paparazzi snapped New England Patriots [team stats] QB/QT Tom Brady [stats] sashaying through the streets of New York City yesterday shamelessly sporting a New York Yankees cap!

Baseball Economics Roundtable - May 2007  —  Baseball is awash with revenues these days.  From lucrative television deals at the national and local level, to MLBAM's steady stream of money, to satellite radio deals, naming rights, and new or redeveloped stadiums going online, owners are bathing in the green stuff.

Vice chairman Foss resigns after 14 years … The man long considered the second most powerful executive in the Orioles organization behind owner Peter Angelos has resigned to accept a position with a Baltimore-based developer of retirement communities.  —  Joe Foss, Orioles vice chairman …

Tigers interested in free-agent pitcher Lawrence  —  The Tigers are one of three teams interested in free agent Brian Lawrence, according to agent Page Odle.  —  Odle said Wednesday that the right-hander could decide where to sign by this weekend.  —  Lawrence was cut Monday by the Colorado Rockies …

Is David All Wright Again?  —  Met fans have been wondering what's wrong with Mr. Wright, actually booing their Golden Boy Monday as his funk deepened.  But over the last two days, he's looked as comfortable as he has at the plate all year, and could be getting hot again.  —  By BRIAN LEWIS

Thinking about Jon Niese  —  First, the book comment:  —  Niese is currently 2-1, 2.35 in five starts for St. Lucie, with a 14/6 K/BB ratio in 23 innings, 22 hits allowed.  He's held lefties to a .059 mark so far this year, although righties have had more success (.296).