Kei to Triple-A  —  BALTIMORE - With his team in a pennant race and just two months to go in the regular season, Joe Torre decided he no longer could afford to send Kei Igawa to the mound.  —  Igawa was optioned to Triple-A Scranton before last night's game, where the Yankees hope the lefthander …

Dye, Garland shine in Sox victory  —  Most marketable players stand out  —  Jon Garland and Jermaine Dye gave potential suitors a good showing Friday night in the White Sox's 4-3 victory over Toronto.  —  In what may have been his last White Sox start, Garland lasted 7 1/3 innings and allowed three runs.

Brewers acquire McClung from Rays  —  Right-handed reliver will report to Triple-A Nashville  —  ST. LOUIS — A few hours after they designated him for assignment, the Brewers traded right-handed reliever Grant Balfour to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Friday for Seth McClung …

Rangers may take Teixeira trade to wire  —  Chipper finds potential in having 'formidable' lineup  —  Phoenix — Chipper Jones learned long ago not to get too excited about trade rumors, but he couldn't help himself Friday as he envisioned Atlanta's lineup should the Braves finalize …

Unit out for season, intends to return  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Randy Johnson will have season-ending back surgery and intends to be back for the Arizona Diamondbacks at spring training next year.  —  "I have no intention at this time of retiring," he said at a news conference Friday.

Shea Hillenbrand signs minor league contract with Padres, will report to Triple-A Portland  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) -The Padres signed two-time All-Star Shea Hillenbrand to a minor league contract on Friday, and he will report to Triple-A Portland.  —  The right-handed hitting Hillenbrand …

Schilling On Track For Aug. 5 Or 6  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The life is back in Curt Schilling's pitches.  New life has been breathed into the 40-year-old pitcher.  —  An upbeat Schilling rejoined his teammates at Tropicana Field Friday, a day after striking out eight in five innings …

Notes: Lee optioned to Triple-A  —  Lofton in Friday night's lineup; Tribe takes a risk in deal  —  CLEVELAND — A year ago, he was signing his name to a multiyear and multimillion dollar contract extension.  —  Now, Cliff Lee is eastbound on Interstate 90.

From slappies to sluggers  —  Ripken was 'tipping point' in evolution of shortstops  —  The abundance of good-hitting shortstops is one of the most compelling storylines in baseball, but it's not exactly new.  —  The trend began in earnest a decade ago with Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Edgar Renteria.

Notes: Time to start Pedro countdown  —  The Mets were glowing Friday after reports filtered back to New York about the four-inning, 65-pitch simulated game thrown by rehabbing righthander Pedro Martinez in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  —  Chances are good that Martinez will be coming soon to a ballpark near you …

Notes: Saarloos sent to Louisville  —  Reliever outrighted to Triple-A club, Santos called up  —  CINCINNATI — Kirk Saarloos accomplished something hard to do by baseball standards on Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.  He allowed his 10th consecutive batter — spread over his past three games — to reach base safely.

Bonds hits 754th HR to pull within one of Aaron  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hammerin' Hank, he's right behind you now.  —  Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run Friday night, and needed just one more to tie Hank Aaron's record.  —  The Giants star sent a 2-1 pitch from rookie Rick Vanden Hurk …