Breaking news: Drew has herniated disc in back  —  TORONTO — The Red Sox received an unpleasant surprise Friday afternoon when they learned outfielder J.D. Drew is suffering from a herniated disc in his back.  —  Drew has suffered from chronic back pain throughout his career and had a flareup …

How Much Does Cano Miss Bowa?  —  PHILADELPHIA — Robinson Cano's disappointing play has been one of the great mysteries in the Yankees' uneven season.  After Cano batted .306 with  —  19 home runs and 97 runs batted in a year ago, he was hitting .263 with 11 and 56 after Friday's game.

Santana, Mets continue surge  —  Johan Santana again answered the call for Mets starting pitchers to go deep into games - even if it was opponent Roy Oswalt who received credit for the complete game.  —  Santana contributed seven scoreless innings while tossing a career-high 121 pitches.

Brewers ponder September callups  —  With club in contention, prospects could provide depth  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers are already weighing options for Sept. 1 callups, but discussions won't intensify for at least a week, and general manager Doug Melvin would not tip his hand on Friday.

Castillo set to return  —  Luis Castillo is scheduled to play second base Saturday night for the first time since July 2, when a strained left hip flexor sent him to the DL.  —  Castillo lost a few pounds while rehabbing, which he suggested has reduced the stress on the knees that he had surgically cleaned last October.

Padres give Hayhurst a shot vs. Giants  —  Minor Leaguer has ‘continued to impress,’ will debut Saturday  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In the eyes of Padres general manager Kevin Towers, pitcher Dirk Hayhurst, who will make his Major League debut Saturday, has gone from non-prospect to, at the very least, a suspect.

Hosmer hits titanic homers in batting practice  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After limping home from a 1-8 road trip, the punchless Kansas City Royals stepped onto the field at Kauffman Stadium and caught a glimpse of what they're so desperately lacking.  —  Time after time, 18-year-old Eric …

Braves ink Lopez to Minor League deal  —  Veteran right-handed pitcher coming off elbow surgery  —  ST. LOUIS — After watching him complete a bullpen session on Friday, the Braves opted to take a gamble on Rodrigo Lopez and his surgically repaired right elbow.

Yankees vs. IronPigs, August 22  —  Top second: Let me walk you through this four-run inning from Phil Hughes, because he must have walked back to the dugout wondering how in the hell that just happened.  —  First batter: Jon Knott homered by lunging at a pitch and getting just enough of it to carry over the wall in left.

Abreu takes care of Little Leaguers, then Orioles  —  BALTIMORE - Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu followed the fortunes of the team from Venezuela during the Little League World Series this week and was struck at how many of the boys said that he was their favorite player.  —  “It makes you feel good,” Abreu said.

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.