Pavano to Start Saturday and Restart His Career  —  TORONTO — On June 27, 2005, Carl Pavano boarded a train with his bags and his golf clubs and stepped out at Penn Station in Baltimore.  He pitched for the Yankees that night, taking his turn in the rotation for the 17th time that season.

Murphy, Evans proving they fit right in with Mets  —  When someone from the Mets' front office says that Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans eat, sleep and drink baseball, that's not really an exaggeration.  The two live in a hotel about a one-hop throw from Shea Stadium, usually discuss that day's …

Jays obtain insurance in Bautista  —  The Jays yesterday obtained third baseman Jose Bautista from the Pirates for a player to be named later.  The club claimed Bautista on waivers, then negotiated with the Bucs for a suitable minor-leaguer to be sent back later.

Cubs won't take struggling Nats lightly  —  Chicago (78-49) vs. Washington (45-83), Friday, 1:20 p.m. CT  —  CHICAGO — For the Cubs, the playoff chase is heating up.  September is on the horizon, and October is coming into focus.  For their opponents, April can't come fast enough.

News, notes and lineups  —  TORONTO - J.D. Drew is currently at a local hospital undergoing an MRI on his back.  —  Drew was originally in the Sox lineup, but his back, according to Sox manager Terry Francona, has gotten progressively worse as the day progressed.

Nats GM in trouble, Rox on the block, pitchers who'll get paid … Embattled Nationals general manager Jim Bowden still appears to have the support of his bosses, who blame others for problems that have beset Bowden and the club in recent days, according to people who have spoken to the leadership of the last-place club.

Red Sox' time is now  —  Sox need to clinch early to have chance in October  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  The obvious priority, as David Ortiz [stats] recently noted, is to “win games, win games, win games.”  But the more the Red Sox [team stats] can win now, the better their chances later.

The Ultimate Fantasy Draft (Part 2)  —  This is Part 2 of yesterday's Lies, Damned Lies: The Ultimate Fantasy Draft, which included players ranked from number 26 through 50, as well as honorable mentions.  —  Welcome, ladies and gents, to the third annual Baseball Prospectus Ultimate Fantasy Draft.

Marlins' Ramirez not sure when he can return … SAN FRANCISCO — Hanley Ramirez tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep Wednesday night because he was worried.  —  The reason?  —  “I knew right away I couldn't play [Thursday],” Ramirez said Thursday, one day after injuring his right thumb while stealing second base.

Foto Friday #8: New York's Cup Runneth Over  —  As a segue to Bob Timmermann's guest column yesterday on “The World of Catcher's Interference,” we bring you Foto Friday #8.  —  Nope, that's not a gas mask, folks.  That's a holy cup, so to speak.  —  Your mission, should you choose to accept it …

Former Met great Tom Seaver not sad to see Shea go  —  There are memories everywhere for Tom Seaver at Shea Stadium.  —  When he looks out at the field, he sees the ghosts of teammates past.  When he looks into the stands, he hears the fans who cheered him during his 11 seasons as a Met.

Yankees to play NL East in 2009  —  The Yankees next year are scheduled to face the entire National League East in interleague play.  —  According to a major-league official who has seen the proposed 2009 schedule but asked not to be named because it is not yet finalized …

Twins Interested In Guardado  —  By Tim Dierkes [August 22 at 1:29pm CST]  —  Everyday Eddie Guardado, a Twins mainstay for a decade, has apparently been placed on waivers by the Rangers.  Joe Christensen says the Twins are interested and will probably make a claim, but don't expect to make a deal.

A's set unfortunate team record  —  Team has now used the DL 23 times during 2008 season  —  SEATTLE — The Athletics broke a team record Sunday, but not one that will bring any smiles.  —  By placing starting pitchers Justin Duchscherer and Sean Gallagher on the 15-day disabled list …