Wilkerson, Norton DFA'd; Clement, Balentien here tonight  —  The headline says it all.  Brad Wilkerson and Greg Norton have been designated for assignment, while Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien have been recalled from Class AAA Tacoma.  Both will be in-uniform for tonight's game.  They aren't here yet.

Schneider released from hospital  —  Mets catcher Brian Schneider was released from the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan this morning after spending nearly a week there with a staph infection in his left thumb.  —  Looking fit despite what he called “a very scary situation,” …

Texas Rangers lose game, starter on skipper's birthday  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - As birthdays go, Ron Washington may not put his 56th on top of his list.  —  The day ended with a 9-5 loss to the Royals, dropping his club to 9-18, the worst record in the majors.

HUGHES BATTLES GLARING PROBLEM ON MOUND  —  Phil Hughes is hard to watch right now.  Which is somewhat fitting, since he is having trouble seeing.  —  Joe Girardi revealed after the Tigers' 6-4 victory over the Yankees that Hughes has some difficulty seeing at night, especially at Yankee Stadium.

Giants catcher Alfonzo suspended 50 games for positive drug test  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants minor league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended 50 games Wednesday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, the first player penalized …

Of Jimmy Olson, Spittle And The Dying Of The Light  —  Here's the important thing to remember about Buzz Bissinger, and whatever the heck happened on “Costas Now” about two hours ago: Buzz is not alone.  Sure, he might be metaphorically alone, raining spittle on the imaginary demons that clearly haunt him.

Report: Smoltz willing to return to Braves' bullpen  —  John Smoltz, who dominated the National League as a closer for 3½ years, is willing to return to the Atlanta Braves' bullpen when he returns from the disabled list, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Tulo's injury latest twist  —  Mutiple mishaps end with Atkins playing second base and backup catcher Iannetta at third.  —  The Denver Post  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Sometimes reality is weirder than fiction.  —  A disappointing season became painful over the course of four hours Tuesday.

Ticket prices steep for MLB All-Star game  —  Want to go to the baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium?  Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets - if you manage to score a ticket in the first place.  —  A ticket to the 79th Midsummer Classic on July 15 will set you back at least $150 …

Pirates pound Perez and sloppy Mets 13-1  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Oliver Perez couldn't find the plate, Luis Castillo couldn't find the ball and Jose Reyes couldn't find second base.  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of a sloppy performance by the New York Mets, scoring nine unearned runs in a 13-1 victory Wednesday.

Morneau lifts Twins over White Sox 4-3  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Justin Morneau came through with yet another clutch hit for the Minnesota Twins.  The Chicago White Sox should have taken notes.  —  After giving themselves chance after chance to break a game open, the White Sox watched Morneau hit …

Lots of player moves  —  Here are a whole bunch of pre-game roster moves:  —  Catcher Chad Moeller cleared waivers and the Yankees signed him to a major league contract.  The Yankees are very happy about this, and he's happy to be back.  He's on the roster

Bronx Banter: Ten Essential Baseball Books  —  Last month I received an e-mail from Chris Illuminati, the content editor of Phillyburbs.com.  He told me he was asking different people for one baseball book that they'd consider essential.  I picked “No Cheering From the Press Box,” …

Rockies pick up two pitchers in trades  —  Reliever Grilli acquired from Tigers; Royals send De La Rosa  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Rockies acquired left-handed starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa from the Royals and right-handed reliever Jason Grilli from the Tigers in separate trades Wednesday afternoon.

Moeller returns to Yankees  —  Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that Chad Moeller went unclaimed on waivers and is back with the Yankees.  —  That is good news for the Yankees, especially given the problems Chris Stewart had last night.  —  If he's on the roster, I suspect Moeller could play tonight.

No progress on new deal for Hudson  —  Second baseman says he wants to stay with Diamondbacks  —  PHOENIX — There's been no movement between the Diamondbacks and Orlando Hudson on a contract for the 2009 season, and even the usually ebullient All-Star second baseman has nothing to say about it.

Step aside Yankees Universe and Red Sox Nation … Welcome to the future of the American League East.  —  The Orioles are in first place, percentage points ahead of the Red Sox.  Boston, hanging on to its dynasty by its fingernails, is the only thing standing between Baltimore and the fast-rising Tampa Bay Rays.