Jerry Remy takes leave to recover from cancer surgery  —  NESN announced Wednesday that Red Sox color commentator Jerry Remy is taking an indefinite leave of absence to fully recover from the effects of cancer surgery.  —  “I want to focus on completing my recovery so that I can return …

Rookie Comes a Long Way for Blue Jays  —  Carl Pavano endured four injury-plagued years in which he gave the Yankees very little for their $39.95 million.  —  So far he has been a big bargain for the Cleveland Indians.  —  Pavano pitched his third strong game in three weeks …

Pitchers Drafted in Top 10: Not a Reassuring History  —  The Nationals have the Nos. 1 and 10 overall picks in the draft on June 9.  So, I thought you folks would enjoy having the definitive FACTS on what has happened in 44 years of drafting to help you form your opinions.

Perez DL'd, Niese To Start Friday  —  Oliver Perez will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with patella tendinitis, according to Omar Minaya, who talked with reporters following the game.  —  Taking Perez's spot on the 25-man roster will be Jonathan Niese, who will make his first start of 2009 on Friday.

Pena powers Rays with homer in the 10th to beat Yankees  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Pena homered leading off the 10th inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays survived a sudden downpour and Mark Teixeira's late, tying double to beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Rockies cruise past Giants 11-1  —  Like some harmonic convergence, all the planets lined up for the Rockies on Wednesday night at Coors Field.  The cosmic result was a peaceful, easy, 11-1 romp over the Giants.  —  In earning his second victory of the season, Ubaldo Jimenez pitched as if he were back in the World Baseball Classic.

Press Box Layoff: How the Baltimore Sun Fired Me  —  Full disclosure: the first two times I was given stunning news about my newspaper job - in 1986 at the about-to-merge St. Petersburg Evening Independent, and in 1991 at the about-to-be-defunct National Sports Daily - I didn't get it face-to-face either time.

Proctor shut down after suffering setback  —  Right-hander will visit Dr. James Andrews next week  —  MIAMI - Scott Proctor just can't catch a break with his right elbow.  —  The 32-year-old right-hander, who had surgery this offseason, was limited to just one Grapefruit League appearance this spring and …

Astros call up Arias, designate Smith for assignment  —  The Astros have called up pitcher Alberto Arias and designated infielder Jason Smith for assignment.  —  Arias provides support for a bullpen that leads the National League having pitched 96 1/3 innings through 27 games.

Midweek Med Report  —  The Yankees pushed Posada to the DL after a recurrent hamstring strain (above, but close to, a previous recent strain) showed enough damage on the MRI that the doctors were worried about the integrity of the area, and a possibly significant tearing/re-tearing risk.

Anderson's first 3 RBI carries Braves over Marlins  —  MIAMI (AP) — Twice Garret Anderson put the Atlanta Braves ahead, and the second time they stayed there.  —  Anderson's first three RBI this season helped the Braves end a four-game losing streak Wednesday by beating Florida 8-6.

Brewers bring too much Braun, grand slam pounds Reds  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan Braun began his career night with a grand slam off Cincinnati's starting pitcher, then completed it with a two-run single off the Reds' shortstop.  —  The Milwaukee Brewers followed Braun's lead and rolled …

Masterful: Santana strikes out 10 as Mets shut out Phillies 1-0  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Johan Santana extended his dominant start to the season, striking out 10 in seven innings of two-hit ball, and the New York Mets scratched out a run Wednesday night on Pedro Feliz's throwing error for a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

EXCLUSIVE: Steven Soderbergh To Use Animated Bill James Character In ‘Moneyball’  —  Steven Soderbergh is making a big push toward realism in his new movie, “Moneyball,” adapted from the best-selling Michael Lewis book that followed the Oakland A's and their general manager Billy Beane …

Castro, Wright back Livan as Mets top Braves  —  ATLANTA - So who are these Mets?  The soft, smiling do-gooders as characterized by their own general manager last weekend?  Or the serious, take-care-of-business grinders who swept the Braves out of Turner Field in this two-game mini-series?

Meet the New Nats.  Same as the Old Caps.  —  In the bottom of the 11th inning of a 10-10 farce of blunders at Nationals Park yesterday afternoon, a shroud was put over the field.  Okay, a tarp.  At the sight of the Nats and Astros bullpens, the sky had laughed 'til it cried.

Dodgers' 12th home win ties MLB mark  —  Weaver allows one run in five innings in first start since '07  —  LOS ANGELES — With a dreadlocked left fielder hustling on the bases, a second baseman who channels Jackie Robinson and a starting pitcher who leaves tickets for a 1970s rock star …