Smoltz may be facing shoulder surgery  —  Braves expected to discuss veteran's future at news conference  —  ATLANTA — John Smoltz has said that he'll be content if he never throws another pitch.  Now, just two days after he attempted to alleviate stress on his shoulder with a move to the bullpen …

Draft Eve News & Rumors  —  Jim Callis is still making his list and checking it twice for his final mock draft prior to the beginning Thursday of the 2008 Draft.  We still are pinching ourselves at BA World Headquarters that the draft is on TV and happy to be part of ESPN's show. …

Posada activated, available off bench vs. Jays  —  NEW YORK — Jorge Posada was activated from the disabled list Wednesday by the New York Yankees and was available off the bench against Toronto.  —  The All-Star catcher wasn't in the starting lineup because he caught the previous two days …

Legends to make history in Bronx  —  More than 40 Hall of Famers to be honored at All-Star Game  —  NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium is not done creating history.  Not quite yet.  —  The largest group of Hall of Famers at a Major League event in history will gather before this summer's All-Star …

White Sox sign pitcher Esteban Loaiza to one-year contract and option Ehren Wassermann to Triple-A Charlotte  —  Dewayne Wise accepts outright assignment to Charlotte  —  CHICAGO — Prior to tonight's game vs. Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza …

Injured Pujols, Ankiel out vs. Nationals  —  WASHINGTON (AP)—St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols and outfielder Rick Ankiel were out of the starting lineup Wednesday night against Washington because of injuries.  —  Pujols, who left Tuesday night's game with tightness in his left calf, was unavailable.

An Open Letter To Theo Epstein: Version 1  —  So, it's not going to happen, but with the Red Sox short one monster hitter for an indefinite amount of time (Papi), the name Barry Bonds has come up as a possible replacement.  It's not even a legitimate rumor (jumbo shrimp / military intelligence …

Former Royal Willie Mays Aikens to be released from prison today  —  Former Royals standout Willie Mays Aikens is scheduled to be released from federal prison today, and he could be at a Kansas City halfway house as early as this evening.  —  “I'm thrilled to death,” Aikens told The State of Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday.

Exclusive: WFNY Sits Down With Terry Pluto  —  It isn't every day that a blogger gets to talk with a member of the mainstream media.  I'd like to think that the odds are even slimmer if said member has been twice honored with the award of Nation's Top Sports Columnist; not to mention …

JOBA AND THE PITCH COUNT GENERATION  —  Here are some thoughts on Joba the Starter.  —  As I sat and watched Joba Chamberlain speak at his press conference, I got the feeling here was another example of a kid being caught up in the hype.  This single start became so big, so anticipated that Joba forgot what he does best.

Silva looks to get Mariners started  —  Seattle (21-38) vs. Los Angeles (36-24), Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. PT  —  SEATTLE — While the Mariners would like nothing more than to claim a division title this season, given their current predicament in the standings, manager John McLaren pointed to more immediate aims.

Giants left-hander Lowry might not be back in '08  —  SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants left-hander Noah Lowry had another MRI exam on his surgically repaired throwing forearm and won't be pitching any time soon — maybe not at all this season.  —  “That's questionable,” manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday.

Kurkjian: Special Negro Leagues Player Draft … There will be two baseball drafts on Thursday.  The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft will begin the professional careers of some of the game's future stars.  The second draft will recognize some of those who might have been stars, but never got the chance.