Hill's Return Will Require Decisions  —  With right-hander Shawn Hill due to return to the Washington Nationals' rotation next week — assuming his final rehabilitation start at Class AAA Columbus on Thursday goes well — the club will have decisions to make about how to shape a pitching staff that …

X-ray reveals fractured leg for Hirsh  —  Pitcher suffered injury in first inning of Tuesday's victory  —  DENVER — A line drive that hit the right leg of Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsh during the first inning of Tuesday night's 11-4 victory over the Brewers did more damage than originally believed.

Pedro roughed up in rehab start  —  Right-hander dismisses tough line as part of process  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez was hit hard Wednesday night in his first professional regular-season game since rotator cuff surgery last Oct. 5, but the Mets right-hander didn't seem concerned afterward.

Loose change for Sox  —  They overtake Angels to avert a series sweep  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — It was apparent before last night's game in the Red Sox clubhouse that the team was gripped with the same anxiety that had seized many of its followers.  —  Julio Lugo was at the controls …

Reds CEO: GM Krivsky's job safe  —  Owner Castellini speaks about disappointing 2007 campaign  —  CINCINNATI — It's been a question on the minds of fans and media much of the summer as the Reds have endured through another losing season.  —  Is Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky's job in jeopardy?

Alou's HR in 8th gets Mets by Braves 4-3  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Bases loaded, nobody out, one-run game.  Billy Wagner never lost his cool on a sweltering night at Shea Stadium, and the New York Mets hung on for a big victory against Atlanta.  —  Wagner escaped a major jam in the ninth inning …

Career over?  'Boomer' Wells, Pads set to cut ties  —  SAN DIEGO — David Wells is finished with his hometown San Diego Padres, and it's possible that the career of one of baseball's most boisterous characters could be over.  —  General manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday that the Padres …

CHIPPER SHOCKER  —  BRAVE: A-ROD FACES STEROID QUESTIONS  —  August 9, 2007 — As if Alex Rodriguez didn't have enough to worry about . . .  Chipper Jones popped off yesterday afternoon, declaring that Rodriguez will be the next slugger tainted by the specter of steroid questions.

Marlins to activate outfielder De Aza  —  Kensing sent to Triple-A; Borchard designated for assignment  —  PHILADELPHIA — After Tuesday's 11-1 loss to the Phillies, the Marlins made a few roster moves that will become official on Wednesday.  —  Outfielder Joe Borchard was designated for assignment …

Pie heading back to Cubs  —  Prospect expected to make third trip to bigs on Wednesday  —  HOUSTON — The Cubs were expected to tweak their roster Wednesday, calling up outfielder Felix Pie from Triple-A Iowa and placing outfielder Angel Pagan on the disabled list.

Buscher on DL.  Here comes Tommy Watkins.  And lineups....  Brian Buscher's right leg infection worsened on Wednesday, so he's been sent to the Twin Cities to be hospitalized.  He'll be hooked up to an i.v. so he can get medicine in him to attack the infection.

After 'Who's Now,' question for ESPN is 'What's Next?' … This is a command performance column — the command having been issued by the hundreds of viewers who asked me to say something about the Who's Now segments that ran on SportsCenter throughout July.  No single topic has ever drawn …

Shields helps Rays end 8-game road skid  —  DETROIT (AP) — Jim Leyland almost picked Tampa Bay's James Shields for the All-Star game last month.  —  On Wednesday night, Shields reminded him why.  —  Shields allowed one run over seven innings as the Devil Rays snapped an eight-game road losing streak …

Fan won 'lottery' with 756 ball  —  NEW YORK — Matt Murphy's stopover in San Francisco included a pretty wild ride, and it wasn't on a cable car.  —  The 21-year-old college student who grew up near Shea Stadium emerged from a mad scramble at AT&T Park on Tuesday night with a bloodied face …