Thomas, released by Blue Jays, returns to Oakland  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Big Hurt is coming back to the Bay Area.  —  The Oakland Athletics agreed to terms with designated hitter Frank Thomas, who was released Sunday by the Toronto Blue Jays to become a free agent after becoming disgruntled about his playing time.

Harold Reynolds joins SNY as Mets analyst  —  Harold Reynolds' comeback continues.  —  Reynolds, who was fired by ESPN in 2006, allegedly for sexual harassment, has been hired by SportsNet New York as a studio analyst on Mets telecasts.  —  “I've never worked on a ‘local’ broadcast,” Reynolds said.

Dodgers' McCourt unveils stadium makeover plan  —  Among the renovations, planned by 2012, would be a dedicated bus lane near the stadium and two parking garages plus additional underground parking.  —  Dodgers owner Frank McCourt unveiled plans today for a historic makeover …

Vazquez struggles in Sox loss  —  Ozzie can't say enough of Jeter, but it's Mussina who's the prize  —  White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had no problem expressing his man-crush on New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  —  “Derek Jeter has everything in his life,” Guillen gushed Wednesday.

Marlins Notebook: Manager says Badenhop needs to believe  —  ATLANTA — The Marlins have told rookie right-hander Burke Badenhop to “trust his stuff,” and not worry about contact when he makes his third start in the majors tonight.  —  “He walked five and that's not him,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said about the last outing.

Infected thumb sends Schneider back to NY  —  Breaking news: Brian Schneider has been sent to New York with an infected left thumb that may require a DL trip.  He just landed in New York 40 minutes ago.  —  There will likely be a roster move to activate Gustavo Molina.

‘Curse’ jersey nets $175K for charity  —  BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox jersey secretly buried under the new Yankee Stadium in a failed curse attempt sold Thursday for $175,100 in a charity auction.  —  The bid was the highest of 282 for the battered No. 34 David Ortiz jersey …

Phillies 3, Brewers 1  —  Suppan gets no help from offense  —  The Milwaukee Brewers are a team built around offense.  They hope to pitch well enough and make enough plays in the field to allow the hitters to carry the club.  —  That's what makes days such as Thursday at Miller Park so frustrating for the home team.

Answer Man: David Wright talks New York cabs, Al Pacino  —  The world sits at the feet of New York Mets slugger David Wright, who has seemed at ease with it all since his 2004 rookie season.  Wright's bat, glove and sometimes his bare hand have put him in the company of the greatest young stars …

It's Show time for Masterson  —  Though he has yet to throw a pitch above Double A, Justin Masterson will get that chance this afternoon.  In Boston.  —  With the team cycling through pitchers at an impressive rate - they have scratched two straight starters hours before game time …

Don't drink the water!  —  Two signs on the doors leading from the visitors' clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field to the first-base dugout read, “NO BOTTLED WATER ON THE BENCH.”  —  What's this?  Athletes can't drink water?  Even in the humid Chicago summers?  —  Here's the explanation I got:

Rays designate Johnson for assignment  —  Gross arrives, leaving no roster room for slugging infielder  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Gabe Gross arrived Wednesday and Dan Johnson was designated for assignment — a day after reporting to the team.  —  The Rays had to clear room for Gross …

Houston holding tight to Oswalt  —  Astros, ace right-hander dispel rumors of possible trade  —  CINCINNATI — An amused Roy Oswalt sat at his locker on Thursday morning, chuckling at the line of questioning reporters threw at him regarding his supposed interest in waiving his no-trade clause.