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.

Botts wants out of Texas Rangers organization  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The Texas Rangers' roster shuffling Tuesday brought to an end Jason Botts' fourth stint in the majors with Texas.  He said he wants to leave the organization.  —  Botts was designated for assignment …

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,” …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Church looking for first All-Star bid  —  Reyes, Wright and Beltran could return to NL squad  —  NEW YORK — For those still uneasy about the trade that sent Lastings Milledge to the Nationals in exchange for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church, consider this: Church not only made it onto …

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.

Marlins fall short vs. Dodgers  —  Fish erase early deficit, but Kent delivers in the ninth  —  MIAMI — The Marlins rallied, and they also made three highlight-reel defensive plays, which featured plenty of grittiness and emotion.  But in the end, it wasn't enough.

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,” …

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.

Cordero out 4-6 weeks with lat injury  —  Nationals reliever Chad Cordero is expected to be sidelined for at least a month with a tear in a muscle below his pitching shoulder, although the team determined Wednesday he won't need surgery.  Cordero left Washington's 6-3 victory over Atlanta …

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.