Strained groin forces Halladay onto DL  —  Ace feels tightness in bullpen session; Downs also out  —  PHILADELPHIA — Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay will be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, adding another arm to the club's list of walking wounded.

Sosa reportedly tested positive for PEDs  —  Times article says slugger was one of 104 named on ‘03 list  —  CHICAGO — Sammy Sosa went from a skinny outfielder to a muscular home run hitter, chasing Roger Maris’ record and belting more than 600 home runs in his career.

Market for starting pitchers could be shockingly thin; more notes … A potentially great pitching market is threatening to become almost nonexistent.  —  Roy Halladay has been declared untouchable, Jake Peavy has a serious ankle injury that could keep him out past the July 31 trade deadline …

Pedro says agent is negotiating with Cubs, Rays  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Pedro Martinez could be back on a Major League Baseball mound soon.  —  The pitcher said on Wednesday that he has had talks with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays and hopes to sign a contract in the near future.

Maine, Perez throw selves into the mix  —  BALTIMORE - Oliver Perez and John Maine will oppose each other in a makeshift game in Port St. Lucie tomorrow involving extended spring training players, pitching coach Dan Warthen told the Daily News.  Afterward, Maine should be ready to re-enter the Mets rotation …

Nats deal lefty O'Connor to Padres  —  Former highly touted prospect traded for player to be named  —  NEW YORK — The Nationals traded left-hander Michael O'Connor to the Padres for a player to be named on Wednesday.  Washington made the move because it needed roster space at Triple …

Bobby Abreu scratched because of a stiff neck  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Right fielder Bobby Abreu was scratched from today's game against the San Francisco Giants because of a stiff neck.  To replace Abreu, Manager Mike Scioscia moved Juan Rivera from left field to right field and inserted Robb Quinlan into the lineup in left field.

Break it up!  It's a dog-eat-reliever world for KC's Kyle Farnsworth  —  In the past, Kansas City Royals pitcher Kyle Farnsworth  —  showed no fear of getting into fights on the baseball field.  —  These days, Farnsworth considers himself a peacemaker.  At least among his pet dogs.

Sosa a reason to re-examine PED blame game  —  Sammy Sosa was in the Dominican Republic two weeks ago when he was asked by ESPNDeportes about allegations of steroid use, and Sosa artfully answered the questions while not really answering them.  —  “I always played with love and responsibility …

The Worst Regular in Baseball  —  More than 200 plate appearances into the season, Brian Giles remains the worst regular in baseball.  Suffice to say, Giles abrupt decay is a bit surprising.  Sure, he's 38 years old and plays in a notoriously suppressive offensive climate, but even Giles' park-adjusted numbers are repulsive.

Could Harper be derailed on fast track?  —  So, will we now see scores of 16-year-old kids rushing to emulate Bryce Harper, the Nevada teenager and Sports Illustrated cover boy who plans to forgo his last two years of high school to become eligible for the baseball draft next June?

Manuel, Maddon name All-Star coaches  —  Hillman, Torre among skippers selected for AL, NL staffs  —  National League All-Star manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies and American League All-Star manager Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays announced their respective coaches for the upcoming 80th All-Star Game on Wednesday.

Francona sticks by Dice-K; move to 'pen unlikely  —  With a 7.55 earned run average and one victory in seven starts, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been a weak link on the Red Sox' deep pitching staff this season.  And he knows it.  —  With John Smoltz set to make his season debut next Thursday …

Iowa prep pitcher K's 18 in 6-inning perfect game  —  DES MOINES, Iowa - A perfect game is one thing.  But Norwalk High pitchers Matt Dermody and Kole Klocko nearly pulled off a perfect doubleheader.  —  Dermody, a senior, struck out all 18 batters he faced in a six-inning perfect game Monday night.