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 …

Pavano Strong as Indians Stop Red Sox  —  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 …

Phils lose despite Park's stellar effort  —  Righty tosses six scoreless innings; Feliz's error costly  —  NEW YORK — Chan Ho Park might have saved his job in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday night at Citi Field.  —  He also might have proved to himself that aggressiveness and confidence go a long way.

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.

Reds lose as Arroyo's night ends early  —  Starter lifted after giving up slam; Bruce, Phillips homer  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds have more road wins than any team in the Majors.  At home, they look about as comfortable as someone sitting on the crunchy plastic that might cover grandma's sofa.

Twins recall Tolbert, option Casilla  —  Infielder slotted in the No. 2 spot in lineup against Orioles  —  BALTIMORE — It's a bit of an old phrase, but Twins infielder Matt Tolbert really is just glad to be back.  —  Tolbert made the Opening Day roster in 2008 and had gotten off …

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.

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.

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.

Halladay improves to 6-1 as Blue Jays crush Angels for 20th win  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Roy Halladay became baseball's second six-game winner and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Los Angeles Angels 13-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Halladay (6-1) joined Kansas City's Zack Greinke atop the victory list …

Nix gets starting nod at shortstop  —  White Sox manager Guillen opts to sit Ramirez  —  CHICAGO — A spot in Ozzie Guillen's doghouse has not officially been reserved for Alexei Ramirez.  Not yet.  —  But for the next few days, there also won't be an opening in the White Sox starting lineup …

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.

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.