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.

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

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.

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 …

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 …

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,” …

A Few Words on “The Internet”  —  Okay.  So.  “Costas Now.”  —  Tonight, I was interviewed as part of that program's multi-part investigation of Sports and the Media.  What followed the tape piece was a live discussion among Will Leitch of Deadspin, Buzz Bissinger of “Friday Night Lights” …

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.

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.

Polanco hits 2 HRs as Tigers top Yankees  —  NEW YORK (AP)—The Detroit Tigers are well on their way to putting their terrible start behind them.  —  Placido Polanco homered twice and Marcus Thames also went deep to help Detroit beat New York 6-2 Wednesday night in the Yankees' first game with Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list.

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 …

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 …

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.

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,” …