Analysis: Pirates set stage to sell off Wilson, others  —  Acquire shortstop Izturis from Cubs for cash, minor-leaguer  —  Has the sale begun?  —  The Pirates apparently have started the process of trading shortstop Jack Wilson, their most tenured and highest-paid player …

More surgery ends Carp's season  —  ATLANTA Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will undergo additional elbow surgery that will end his season and potentially cause him to miss a significant portion of the 2008 season, club and industry sources told the Post-Dispatch Thursday.

Bonds returns to lineup, hits homers No. 752, 753  —  CHICAGO — Barry Bonds hit his 752nd and 753rd home runs Thursday, ending his worst slump in six years with two of his biggest swings this month — and he only needs two more to tie Hank Aaron's record.  —  He was rested and ready, all right.

Welcome to Dullsville … Once, there was a time when it was possible to trade for Randy Johnson at the trading deadline.  Or Bartolo Colon.  Or, at the very least, Brad Penny.  —  Boy, those were the days.  —  But now those days seem as long gone as legalized spitballs …

McAdam On Red Sox Trade Possibilities  —  Yesterday, Sean McAdam of The Providence Journal posted an article discussing trade possibilities for the Red Sox.  Let's discuss.  — It seems that the Red Sox will add a bullpen arm despite the fine work of Manny Delcarmen.  Apparently they want someone with experience.

Cubs' Wood impressive in latest rehab outing  —  MESA, Ariz. — Seven pitches, seven strikes.  A fastball that hit 95 mph.  —  Kerry Wood had his best outing yet Thursday in his latest and most improbable attempt to come back from injury.  —  "That's probably the best stuff I've had as far as velocity, location.

Ibanez says Mariners don't need roster changes  —  SEATTLE — Thirteen days before baseball's July 31 trade deadline, left fielder Raul Ibanez put on his general manager's cap Wednesday and pronounced the Mariners complete as they are.  —  "Sometimes there is a legitimate need for this or that …

Hug it out  —  Minaya, Randolph not feuding over Down firing  —  Also in this column:  —  Contrary to reports and speculation, insiders insist there is no rift between Mets GM Omar Minaya and manager Willie Randolph over last week's firing of hitting coach Rick Down.

Stark: Rumblings and Grumblings  —  Looking to add a quality starter for a stretch run?  Good luck.  Teams in the hunt will have to settle for scraps.  Rumblings and Grumblings  —  • Tim Kurkjian: No big names available |  Buster Olney: All quiet  —  • Baseball Today: Joe Mauer |

Rangers put reliever Otsuka on 15-day DL  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after an MRI exam determined the right-hander has inflammation in his forearm that is causing pain in his elbow.  —  "I'm relieved," said Otsuka, who hasn't pitched since July 1.

Five and Fly: Slim pickings  —  The scouts are out there, trolling for pitchers with pulses, having concluded there probably won't be a middle-of-the-order bat, and skeptical the few available pitchers are worth the current prices.  —  "I'm not sure any of them are better than what we already have …

Blogger Beat: True Blue L.A.  —  This season, at the beginning of each series, MetsBlog will attempt to get the perspective of the opposition and their fans.  From this, we hope to be better educated on the opposition going into a series.  It also gives us a fine opportunity to highlight some of our favorite team blogs.

Slide step  —  Sox drop another; division lead at 7  —  The fixation with the team that plays on 161st Street and River Drive in the Bronx makes it much harder for fans to abide the win-one, lose-one approach that has marked the Red Sox' play for the better part of two months.