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.

Nate Robertson sent to bullpen; Dontrelle Willis won't replace him  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In what he called “the lowest point” in his Tigers career, Nate Robertson was removed from the rotation Friday by manager Jim Leyland.  —  Leyland didn't say who will take Robertson's spot in the rotation.

Beckett has inflammation in elbow  —  TORONTO - Sox manager Terry Francona introduced new information about Josh Beckett - indicating the right-hander has had inflammation in his right elbow.  —  That coupled with sleeping on the arm has created the tingling and numbness which he experienced in his last start last Sunday at Fenway.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.