Pitcher Greg Maddux to rejoin Dodgers  —  Dodgers reach agreement to acquire veteran right-hander, a future Hall of Famer with 353 career wins, in a trade with San Diego.  He also pitched for the team in 2006.  —  The Dodgers today reached agreement with the San Diego Padres on a deal …

Veteran lefty Rhodes takes Pinto under wing  —  Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez last week paid July 31 acquisition Arthur Rhodes a nice compliment.  Gonzalez said it felt like Rhodes had been with the club since day one.  —  If that was the case, it might not be unreasonable …

A defensive reaction from first basemen  —  BALTIMORE - For those (including this writer) who thought Kevin Youkilis should have converted a double play that would have gotten Josh Beckett out of the first inning after just four runs Sunday, Youkilis has a message: It's not as easy as it looks.

CC moves to 8-0 with Brewers  —  Lefty's complete game vs. Astros his 11th straight victory  —  MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers game notes said it best.  It really is Carsten Charles in Charge.  —  Known in abbreviated terms to his friends, CC Sabathia continued his torrid success since joining …

Texas Rangers' Kinsler could be out for season  —  Second baseman might have to undergo surgery for sports hernia  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - Another day, another catastrophe for the Rangers.  Ian Kinsler has very possibly played his last game of the season.

Grounds crew always busy for Marlins  —  Rain threats, multipurpose events keep workers on toes  —  MIAMI — This may sound like an opinionated statement, but it's pretty close to being a hard fact: The grounds crew at Dolphin Stadium is the hardest-working team in the Major Leagues.

New York Yankees expect boost from Matsui  —  NEW YORK — With six weeks remaining and their postseason hopes in doubt, a trio of injured Yankees are on the cusp of returning, hoping to save the season.  —  The problem is, it might be too late.  —  Hideki Matsui will be activated …

Angels hope to beat the Rays and a hurricane  —  A lone bicyclist rides in the rain against the wind along Truman Avenue in Key West as the effects of Tropical Storm Fay are felt at the southern-most edge of Florida.  The storm is not expected to make a direct hit on the Tamps Bay area …

BURNETT PEAKING JUST IN TIME TO LEAVE  —  May Get 20 Wins; Toronto pitcher could be worth US$15M a year  —  J. Burnett has enjoyed a healthy season with the Blue Jays this year and could trigger an opt-out clause at the end of the year to join pitchers such as Johan Santana and C. C. Sabathia, who are cashing ...

A's victorious but lose Duchscherer  —  Right-hander leaves in third inning with right hip pain  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Highly respected veteran Mark Ellis set the tone with a home run on the first pitch of the game, five pitchers teamed up to keep a first-place team in check …