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.

Mets Insider: A second look at Sammy Sosa?  —  LOS ANGELES — Back in December 2004, which was the last time the Mets seriously considered trading for Sammy Sosa, they were prepared to take on nearly $35 million for the two-year commitment.  Or at least general manager Omar Minaya was willing to.

Stranded in quicksand: Sox sinking as lost chances mount  —  Four batters painted an all too familiar picture for the Red Sox [team stats] last night.  —  The frustration of the Sox' recent rough patch reached a crescendo during the seventh inning of the 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park [map].

Trainer: Wood recovery a 'miracle'  —  Shoulder has made incredible progress  —  Kerry Wood's velocity improved to 95 m.p.h. in his third rehab outing in Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday, and he could be taking his show to Class A Peoria early next week.  —  Wood threw seven strikes in seven pitches …

Pirates' Snell issues an act of contrition  —  Washington - Contrition and discipline followed the Rockies from Pittsburgh on Thursday.  —  Before Colorado faced Washington, Pirates starter Ian Snell called manager Clint Hurdle and apologized for his jarring comments after Wednesday's loss.

Cuba tops U.S. to win Pan Am baseball gold  —  RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A Pan American Games silver medal earned by a bunch of college baseball players bodes well for the United States in next summer's Olympics.  Of course, the gold that Cuba grabbed for the 10th straight …

Trade Cordero?  It's an Issue of Getting Value  —  Chad Cordero spent much of the offseason reading about how the Washington Nationals, the franchise that drafted him and gave him a chance to lead the majors with 47 saves in 2005, might trade him.  Now, less than two weeks …

Cantu Considers His Rays Career Over  —  ST. PETERSBURG If Jorge Cantu has his way, he won't wear a Devil Rays uniform again.  —  The Rays optioned the 25-year-old to Durham after Thursday's game as part of a series of moves to add pitching.  OF Dustan Mohr also was designated for assignment …

Future Shock  —  Scouts' Chatter  —  I spent much of the week on the phone with a variety of scouts to discuss some of their second-half coverage.  Here are some highlights, focusing primarily on players that have been discussed in recent chats and Ten Packs.  Their performances made the grade, but what did the scouts say?

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?

Rangers put reliever Akinori Otsuka on the disabled list  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers stellar bullpen took a hit Thursday when they put Akinori Otsuka on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right forearm.  —  The right-hander, 35, hasn't pitched since July 1 when he pitched 2/3 of an inning against Boston.

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 …

Don't Forget the Motor City ...  The lesson with Barry Bonds is clear: Don't get comfortable.  You might recall that about a week ago, I had braced myself for the Bonds chase.  I did my Barry calisthenics.  I studied some baseball history.  I bought some flaxseed oil.  And then things began to change.