A-Rod's rehab plan takes shape  —  If you're one of the many people (based on the e-mails) hoping Alex Rodriguez will play a rehab game or two at Trenton or Scranton, you're probably out of luck.  —  The tentative plan for A-Rod is to fly to Tampa on Thursday and pick up the pace of the workouts at the team complex over the weekend.

Agent Boras defends client Perez  —  LOS ANGELES - Agent Scott Boras refused to accept that his client, Mets left-hander Oliver Perez, is “erratic.”  —  After winning his first two decisions, Perez has lost his last three, and his ERA is just south of 5.00.

Teixeira's gamble should lead to big payday … Lately, the overwhelming trend for young stars has been to sign early in their careers, to take the money and stay, so to speak.  —  That's what makes Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira such a rare breed.  Incidentally, rare breeds don't come cheap these days.

Game 35: Indians at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Chien-Ming Wang vs. the Cleveland hitters.  —  Cliff Lee vs. the New York hitters.  —  Notes: The Yankees are 8-8 at home, 9-9 on the road and 7-7 in games decided by one or two runs.  They're 4-4 against lefties and 13-13 against righties.

Dodgers' Esteban Loaiza goes on disabled list  —  Brazoban will be recalled, and Kershaw could be coming to the majors soon.  —  Esteban Loaiza was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of tightness and spasms in his right shoulder — a move that could create an opportunity …

Texas Rangers ' Broussard losing time at first  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SEATTLE - The descent for Ben Broussard has taken only five weeks.  He's gone from everyday first baseman to a platoon and now to the bench.  —  The only step left might be a ticket out of the Rangers organization.

Longtime O's groundskeeper Santarone dies at 79  —  He maintained Memorial Stadium field from 1969-1991  —  Pat Santarone served as the head groundskeeper at Memorial Stadium from 1969-1991.  (Photo courtesy of the Orioles)  —  Longtime Memorial Stadium groundskeeper Pat Santarone died yesterday …

Tigers win on Polanco's hit off Papelbon  —  DETROIT (AP)—The reeling Detroit Tigers looked like they were finally going to break out of their funk against Boston, scoring runs like they were expected to and pitching just good enough to win.  —  Then the Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit …

Watson: Rocket not welcome on Olympic squad … NEW YORK (AP) — Roger Clemens isn't welcome on the U.S. Olympic baseball team.  —  U.S. general manager Bob Watson said Wednesday that he isn't considering the 45-year-old right-hander for his roster for the Beijing Games.

Tonight's The Night  —  It's Time.  —  Way back in October 2004, I started writing the blog, not really knowing what to expect, and certainly not expecting that it would get to be as big (relatively speaking) as it is, nor would it have given me some of the opportunities it has.

Why Frank Thomas belongs in this year's All-Star Game  —  After watching his distinguished career and his outspoken stance against steroids, it's time to send Frank Thomas to the 2008 All-Star Game (Cast your vote here)  —  Here's a fact I've been having trouble getting my head around this morning …

O'Connor replaces Chico in rotation  —  Lefty called up as former starter finds a place in bullpen  —  HOUSTON — The Nationals are making a change in their starting rotation, naming left-hander Mike O'Connor to start Saturday night's home game against Florida in place of lefty Matt Chico.

Nardi speaks, we all listen  —  Talked to Nardi Contreras after the game, which means I briefly discussed a lot of pitchers.  —  Left yesterday's game because of a blister.  —  Throwing batting practice, facing live hitters.  “Might get in a game next week,” Contreras said.  —  Humberto Sanchez

Joba falters as Yanks fall to Tribe  —  Three-run homer in eighth spoils Pettitte's strong performance  —  NEW YORK — Joba Chamberlain watched the ball sail toward the right-field wall, bent at his waist and held his face a couple of feet over the Yankee Stadium infield grass.

Teixiera headed for a big payday (cont.)  —  In the Tex mix  —  1. Yankees.  No shot the Yankees bring back Giambi and his .150 batting average for $26 million nest year.  The $5-million buyout will be the best money they've ever spent.  The Yankees are believed to be interested in Teixeira …

How the heck is the NL outscoring the AL?  —  This has been an upside-down start to the 2008 season.  A second baseman is leading the majors in home runs, the Rays are ahead of the Yankees in the AL East standings, and the Tigers seem to be reverting to their pre-2006 form.

Homecoming for Hinske in Toronto  —  Tampa Bay (17-15) at Toronto (16-18), Weds., 7:07 p.m. ET  —  TORONTO — Playing in the Rogers Centre is something that Eric Hinske is very familiar with, as the Rays utility man was a member of the Blue Jays organization for the first five years of his career.