Jerry pitches in to help Wright  —  ANAHEIM - No, Jerry Manuel wasn't glad he had to make a point about his authority as manager one batter into his first game at the helm.  —  Manuel met resistance from a helmet-tossing Jose Reyes on Tuesday night, when the shortstop's left hamstring tightened and he didn't want to leave the game.

Yankees sign Sidney Ponson  —  The Yankees just announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Triple-A contract.  Presumably, this means Ponson will report to Scranton, but it would seem likely that he'd get a shot in the Yankees' major-league rotation soon.

Perception on Mets' Bernazard: He's a bad, bad guy  —  Among their many travails during this trying time, the Mets have this going for them:  —  They now employ the most famous vice president of development in baseball history.  —  Omar Minaya left here Tuesday, after trying to defend …

Rays beat Cubs again, Zambrano injured  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—With every victory against contenders like the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays gain a little more confidence.  —  “It validates that we are a good team,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday night after the surprising Rays held off …

Mets in good shape if 'pen is as well  —  New York (35-36) at Colorado (30-42), Friday, 9:05 p.m. ET  —  ANAHEIM — Rummaging through some belongings in his locker prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels, Billy Wagner pulled out a bright pink backpack and, beaming — almost cackling — handed it to Joe Smith.

New York Yankees and Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment to open year-round Hard Rock Cafe in new Yankee Stadium  —  Yankee Global Enterprises to partner with Hard Rock to create NYY Steak  —  The New York Yankees announced today that they have agreed to enter into a long-term agreement …

Pirates Notebook: GM says .500 mark will not influence moves  —  CHICAGO — If the Pirates' management decides to keep its current roster intact all season, rather than trading key pieces for young talent, it will not be because of a wish to finish .500 or better and break the franchise's 15-year losing streak.

Williams on job with Cubs: ‘That would be a betrayal’  —  It wouldn't be Sox-Cubs week without White Sox general manager Ken Williams ruffling a few feathers on the North Side.  —  Then again, it's hard to argue with Williams about his latest comments.  Facts are facts.

MRI exam shows Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda has tendinitis  —  Pitcher has been scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against Cleveland.  —  CINCINNATI — Diagnosed on Wednesday with tendinitis and an impingement in his right shoulder, Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was scratched …

Minor leaguers feed off rehab stints  —  When players from the big club come down, they pay for postgame meals.  —  When the Angels decided to cut Erick Aybar's minor league rehab assignment a day short and reactivate the infielder Wednesday, the reverberations were felt in the clubhouse …

J.D. Drew Worth The Money  —  When J.D. Drew signed his 5 year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox, they were destroyed by national media writers such as Bill Simmons who pushed the narrative that Drew was an unclutch loser who couldn't perform under pressure and wasn't any good even when he was healthy.

Mariners' pick for GM will reveal path  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready ...  Howard Lincoln's eyes were flashing fire on Monday.  —  This was a man who had finally reached the limit of his patience, and seemed ready — indeed, aching — to try a new way.