Phils acquire Blanton, send 3 minor leaguers to A's … The Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton.  Blanton is 5-12 this season after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season.  —  The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas …

Marlins left-hander Andrew Miller sidelined by knee tendinitis  —  MIAMI GARDENS — The Marlins overcame injuries to go into the All-Star break just 112 games out of first place in the National League East.  But if they hope to reach the playoffs, they'll have to overcome more injuries.

Wagner making a statement to Phillies  —  New York (52-44) at Cincinnati (46-51), Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET  —  CINCINNATI — The first part of Billy Wagner's latest proclamation clearly was directed at the Phillies.  —  “We've got their attention,” Wagner said.  —  A challenge masquerading as an observation is what it was.

Liriano to file grievance against Twins  —  Lefty believes he should have been called up to Majors by now  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The agent for Francisco Liriano has reportedly gotten the players' union to agree to investigate whether the Twins have violated the collective bargaining agreement by keeping Liriano at Triple-A Rochester.

Foot injury knocks El Duque out of B-Mets game  —  Orlando Hernandez cited a foot injury as the reason he exited after just one inning Thursday in the Binghamton Mets game against Connecticut at NYSEG Stadium.  —  Hernandez, making his fourth minor-league rehab start and first with the B-Mets, gave up two runs in the first inning.

Yankees have tentative deal with first baseman Sexson … The New York Yankees have reached a tentative agreement with Richie Sexson, who was released by the Seattle Mariners a week ago.  —  Sexson fits in New York because the Yankees needed a right-handed slugger to match up against left-handed pitching …

Kelly signs, volunteers to play two positions  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - The University of Tennessee lost a quarterback yesterday, while the Red Sox gained a shortstop.  Or a pitcher.  Or both.  —  The Sox signed their No. 1 draft pick, Casey Kelly, a two-sport star at Sarasota (Fla.) …

Get ready for Burnett trade talk  —  Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees on July 13, 2008, at the Rogers Centre.  The Jays won 4-1 to take the series 2-1.  —  'I enjoy being a Blue Jay and that's where I'm at.  That's where I plan on being,' pitcher says

He's back with a bang  —  Ortiz hits a homer in Pawtucket rehab  —  David Ortiz may have been feeling bottled up before the game by all those autograph requests in milk containers.  (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. - The sellout crowd brayed a mighty, encouraging “Papi!  Papi!

Clarification on Barry Bonds' ‘Talks’ with Yankees  —  The Bronx Bomber's report that former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is in contract negotiations with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman comes from a source within the Yankees organization, though not through conventional channels.

Church's slow return clouding Mets' plans  —  CINCINNATI - Ryan Church won't be activated Tuesday, when he's eligible to return from the DL, muddying the Mets' trading-deadline plans.  Mets officials insisted Church didn't have a setback with what they have concluded was migraine-related dizziness and fatigue.

Notes: Flores to return  —  FLORES TO RETURN  —  The Cardinals will activate Randy Flores from the 15-day disabled list in time for tonight's game, and to make room in the bullpen for the lefty the club optioned Chris Perez to Class AAA Memphis after Thursday's game.

D-backs reacquire Clark from Padres  —  San Diego receives Minor League pitcher as compensation  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs acquired veteran first baseman Tony Clark from the Padres on Thursday in exchange for a Minor League pitcher.  —  Clark, 36, waived a $500,000 assignment bonus from the Padres …