Padres part ways with Edmonds  —  Eight-time Gold Glover released after sluggish start to season  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres decided to sever ties with Jim Edmonds on Friday, releasing the 37-year-old, eight-time Gold Glove winner after he struggled offensively and defensively during the first month of the season.

Igawa no better than Kennedy in debut  —  Tigers reach lefty for six runs on 11 hits as Yanks drop opener  —  DETROIT — Kei Igawa was hit hard and often in his first start of the season, making an early exit as the Yankees dropped a 6-5 decision to the Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday …

BOOMER-ANG?  —  WELLS WOULD LOVE YANKEE RETURN  —  For his 45th birthday in 11 days, David Wells wants something pinstriped.  The free-agent left-hander told The Post yesterday he has been working out near his home in San Diego and believes he could...

Jays Acquire Kevin Mench, Brad Wilkerson  —  3:03pm: The Wilkerson signing is also official now.  Both are pretty much no-risk moves.  —  2:48pm: According to the Newberg Report mailing list, the Blue Jays have acquired outfielder Kevin Mench from the Rangers for cash considerations.

Mets have very little fire ... and the manager is to blame  —  Since June 1 of last year, the Mets' record is 71-71.  —  Yes, really.  —  Right on the .500 mark, as mediocre as it gets.  They like to brush off last year's collapse as two bad September weeks, but a fact like this one blows …

Farnsworth's suspension reduced  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has cut Kyle Farnsworth's suspension from three games to one following an appeal by the New York Yankees reliever.  —  Baseball's vice president in charge of discipline announced the original penalty April 19th …

Sexson slapped with six-game suspension; he'll appeal  —  The enforcement division of the Commissioner's Office came down hard on Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson Friday.  —  Sexson, who charged the mound Thursday night after feeling Texas' starter Kason Gabbard had thrown at his head …

Shields' 1-hitter, Longoria lift Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—With James Shields pitching the way he is, the Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to believe anything is possible.  —  Shields pitched a one-hitter and Evan Longoria's two-run, ninth-inning homer gave the surging Rays a 2- victory …

A little news  —  MINNEAPOLIS - The Twins have to be upset by news of Pat Neshek going on the 15-day disabled list with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.  A terrific set-up man in the past, Neshek was 0-1 with ba 4.73 ERA this season in 15 appearances.

Sanchez helps Bucs win fourth straight  —  PITTSBURGH (AP)—Freddy Sanchez singled home Brian Bixler with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.  —  Sanchez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and is 9-for-17 …

Marlins' sweeping success continues  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Even on a night when the team leader in wins cannot make it out of the fifth inning, the Marlins make it look easy.  —  Another power surge and more outstanding middle relief was enough to offset Mark Hendrickson's roughest outing since joining the Marlins.

Q + A with Jeff Luhnow  —  Jeff Luhnow, Vice President, Amateur Scouting and Player Development, in the midst of preparing for the draft and the dozens of other things that come with his hectic job, was kind enough to do a little Q and A with me over email.  Thanks go to out to him for his thoughtful answers.

Helium Watch: Dodgers Prospect Andrew Lambo  —  Background  —  Andrew Lambo was the Los Angeles Dodgers' fourth round pick in 2007 out of Newbury High School in California.  Projected to go in the second round, character issues caused his stock to drop.  —  Body Type