Mets part ways with Franco  —  The Mets are expected to remove Julio Franco from their roster today to make room for Lastings Milledge, Newsday has learned.  An announcement will be made before today's game.  —  It's not clear whether Franco, who turns 48 next month, will retire …

Ricciardi not planning any trades  —  General manager expects to keep core of players together  —  BOSTON — There are 19 days left until the non-waiver trading deadline, but Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi isn't counting.  In fact, Ricciardi isn't even sure he's making the trip to Florida …

Mets designate Franco for assignment  —  Says he will seek new chance in striving to play at 50  —  NEW YORK — For weeks, Julio Franco had spoken privately of the need to find work elsewhere and the need to get enough at-bats to allow him to continue his career and reach his objective of playing at age 50.

Reyes, Gotay power Mets past Reds 3-2  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Reyes and Ruben Gotay opened with consecutive home runs, the first time that's happened in the 46-season history of the Mets, and New York beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 Thursday.  —  Reyes, fresh off his three-hit performance …

Rodriguez not ready to negotiate  —  After the New York Yankees on Wednesday indicated they would break from tradition and negotiate during the season with Alex Rodriguez on a contract extension, the slugger swiftly reiterated that he isn't interested in talking contract until after the season.

Lidge returns from rehab stint  —  Right-hander will be eased back into Astros' closer role  —  HOUSTON — As expected, the Astros activated closer Brad Lidge from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, prior to their departure for Chicago.  —  To make room for Lidge on the 25-man roster …

Notes: HoJo serving as hitting coach  —  Decision yet to be made on who will assume full-time post  —  NEW YORK — Howard Johnson is the Mets' hitting coach — for now.  —  Johnson took over as the team's hitting instructor on Thursday, a day after the team relieved Rick Down of those duties.

Harden heads back to disabled list  —  Right-hander's shoulder problems continue after one start  —  OAKLAND — The A's opened the second half of the season by making an all-too-familiar roster move, placing righty Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 8, with a strained right shoulder on Thursday morning.

Padres LHP Wells suspended 7 games  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres pitcher David Wells was suspended for seven games and fined $3,000 Thursday by the commissioner's office for his animated argument with an umpire last weekend.  —  In handing down the punishment, Bob Watson, baseball's discipline czar …

Giambi-Mitchell meeting set for later this month  —  NEW YORK — Jason Giambi's meeting with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell will take place later this month.  —  Giambi agreed to the session on June 21, and lawyers have worked since then trying to get a date that worked for all involved.

Mariners get help  —  Blown calls in wild fifth inning give Seattle run it shouldn't have had  —  One of the great things about baseball is that no matter how many games you've seen, on any given day you might see something new.  —  It's a fair bet that few in the crowd of 31,994 …

Schrodinger`s Bat: Dropping One Down by Dan Fox  —  Dropping One Down … Willy Taveras, commenting on his bunt single against the Yankees' Roger Clemens on June 20th.  —  There are times when the fan in you simply has to marvel at what you see on the field.

Pirates are 40-48 at the break _ and happy about it  —  PITTSBURGH —The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the few teams in the majors that could be excited about a 40-48 record at the All-Star break.  —  The Pirates are on pace for a 15th consecutive losing season, one short of the major league record …

Baseball's Most Impressive Records  —  You often hear discussion of what are baseball's most unbreakable records; it's a hardy perennial of the barroom or talk radio debate (I recently got a marketing email from a company selling a video on the topic).  —  But "unbreakable" isn't really the yardstick for a great record.