Game 9: Yankees at Royals  —  YANKEES  —  Notes: Jorge Posada has been diagnosed with a shoulder strain according to the KC team doctor and should only miss a few days.  It doesn't look like a DL.  He had the MRI sent to Dr. James Andrews for confirmation and the Yankees will have their doctors look at it as well.

Indictment: Agents steered baseball players to doctor for performance-enhancing drugs  —  NEW YORK (AP)—A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charged that unidentified agents for baseball players steered clients to a California physician linked in media reports to supplying Troy Glaus …

Pujols, Backe quarrel during BP  —  Argument stemmed from play at the plate on Tuesday  —  HOUSTON — Apparently, Brandon Backe and Albert Pujols aren't the best of friends.  They've never liked each other, but until Wednesday, that was one of the better-kept secrets surrounding …

Phil Hughes' Mechanics: What's The Deal?  —  When you are the youngest pitcher in Major League Baseball and being touted as the future ace of the New York Yankees, I suppose that it is normal to be under the microscope at all times.  And, boy has Phil Hughes been under the microscope.

Knee has Castillo in tight spot  —  Luis Castillo sat out Wednesday night's game against the Phillies, a day after pulling himself after four innings with tightness in his right knee.  The second baseman speculated that the trouble isn't related to previous knee problems that led to surgery in October, and instead faulted the weather.

M's could use performance incentives  —  Editor's note: Seth Kolloen is executive editor of Sports Northwest Magazine.  His work appears occasionally in the Seattle P-I.  —  WHO CHANGED THE calendar and put April right after September?  —  Just like last season, Mariners veterans are failing …

DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL  —  Cruceta's visa finally gets approved  —  BOSTON — In what could be a significant piece of news for the Tigers, Francisco Cruceta's visa has been approved and he can now report to the Tigers.  —  Cruceta can pick up his visa Thursday morning in Santo Domingo …

METS POISED TO SIGN VARGAS  —  The Mets are on the verge of signing free-agent right-hander Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract, and a deal could be done as early as tomorrow, The Post has learned.  —  Vargas' agent, Bean Stringfellow, told The Post today that the Mets have offered Vargas …

Chicago Cubs  —  But Sammy Sosa, the Cubs' career home run leader, remains an outcast to many of the same fans who used to cheer his majestic blasts and animated chest-thumping routine.  —  Sosa, who reached 609 career home runs last season while playing for Texas, is considering retirement …

Dan Johnson designated  —  From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser in Toronto  —  Quick note: Dan Johnson's agent, Bobby Barad, tells me that the A's have just informed the first baseman that he has been designated for assignment.  That means they have 10 days to put Johnson on waivers, trade him or release him.

Fans' actions may prompt Jays to scrap $2 seats  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays are considering scrapping a promotion that offers fans upper deck tickets for $2 after several brawls broke out in the stands during a game Tuesday night.  —  Team president Paul Godfrey said Wednesday that no alcohol …

Smith set to make Majors debut vs. Jays  —  Oakland (4-4) at Toronto (4-3), Wednesday, 4:07 p.m. PT  —  Left-hander Greg Smith will make his Major League debut on Wednesday night when the Athletics visit the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.  —  Smith is taking over for injured starting pitcher …