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 …

Season ends for Carpenter  —  ATLANTA — The Cardinals on Thursday announced Chris Carpenter's season is over.  —  Carpenter, who has not made a major-league start since opening day, will undergo additional elbow surgery next week that will end his season and cost him a significant portion …

Fit Young Pitchers See Elbow Repair as Cure-All  —  While examining a 17-year-old pitcher for a knee injury last year in Nashville, Dr. Damon H. Petty was asked a chilling question by the teenager and his father: If reconstructive elbow surgery were performed on his healthy throwing arm, might he gain some speed on his fastball?

SCOUTS FLOCK INTO STADIUM  —  The Yankees continue to talk to the Dodgers about utilityman Wilson Betemit, but the Dodgers are also chatting with the Royals about reliever Octavio Dotel, whom they like a little bit better than Scott Proctor.  —  The Dodgers had scout Mark Weidemaier at Yankee Stadium yesterday.

Lester willing, able: Ready to answer call  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Considering he was a bit preoccupied by pitching seven strong innings in Triple-A Pawtucket's 9-4 victory against Ottawa on Wednesday night, Jon Lester [stats] can be excused for being unaware that the topic …

Patience pays off for Dodgers hitters  —  They're taking more pitches under Mueller, who doesn't take credit for offensive surge.  —  Bill Mueller doesn't want to take credit for the Dodgers' offensive surge in recent weeks, but the empirical evidence indicates that the team has been more patient …

Rainiers buzzed by Bees  —  SALT LAKE CITY — Ryan Budde's run-scoring single capped off a four-run, seventh-inning comeback as the Salt Lake Bees edged the Tacoma Rainiers 9-8 on Thursday night in Pacific Coast League play.  —  Weak hit derails Yankees' run

Notes: Dunn meets with Mackanin  —  Left fielder doesn't like coming out of games early  —  MIAMI — The timing was uncanny and entirely coincidental.  —  An unfounded trade rumor had circulated Thursday morning reporting that Reds left fielder Adam Dunn was traded to the Brewers.

Tigers surpass all-time attendance record  —  Sales for 2007 top 1984 world championship season  —  DETROIT — Through the close of business on Wednesday, sales of Tigers tickets for the 2007 season surpassed the previous club record total, which was set in the 1984 World Championship season at Tiger Stadium.

Jimenez Has At-Bat That's Above His Average  —  The words could have sounded hollow coming from D'Angelo Jimenez, who had been to the plate 25 times as a Washington National and had all of one hit.  That .040 average glared from the scoreboard above, mocking him.  But just yesterday afternoon, he boasted to Manager Manny Acta.

What If The Astros Drafted Derek Jeter??  —  What would have happened if the Astros drafted Derek Jeter as Hal Newhouser insisted??  I try to quantify what would, and could, have occurred.  —  Those readers who are even vaguely interested in baseball history undoubtedly know Hal Newhouser.

Red Sox can't plug up leaks  —  Offense remains all wet after delay  —  Red Sox fan and Brookline native Conan O'Brien was in the on-deck circle by the time last night's game lurched into the bottom of the ninth, rain having delayed the start until 9:01.  —  But a half-hour after midnight, the Sox needed a home run, not a one-liner.

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.

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.