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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 …

White Sox might be ready to move Dye  —  PLAYER OF THE DAY  —  Jermaine Dye, OF Chicago White Sox  —  All indications out of Chicago are that Dye wouldn't mind a trade away from the team for which he won the World Series MVP award in 2005.  Reports from inside the White Sox clubhouse …

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.

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 |

Treanor: Marlins need Olsen focused on baseball  —  MIAMI GARDENS Whether the unpaid two-game suspension of left-hander Scott Olsen had the desired effect won't become apparent until he pitches Friday.  —  Back from his banishment for fighting with a teammate in the dugout last weekend …