Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with Philadelphia Phillies  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies, trying to get the pitcher back into the major leagues.  —  Martinez said the Phillies have been scouting him in his native Dominican Republic.

Melancon called to New York  —  No word on a corresponding move, but Mark Melancon has been called back to the big leagues and will join the New York Yankees in Los Angeles.  —  Melancon has not allowed a run in his past two outings, going a total of 5.2 innings with only one hit.

Digital Eyes Will Chart Baseball's Unseen Skills  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As baseball's statistical revolution marches on, the last refuge for the baseball aesthete has been the sport's less quantifiable skills: outfielders' arm strength, base-running efficiency and other you-won't-find-that-in-the-box- score esoterica.

Pirates Notebook: Sanchez trade not imminent  —  The Pirates are “pushing hard” to trade All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, according to a National League executive yesterday, but no deal with any team looked imminent as of last night, according to multiple other sources.

‘Bran-Torino’ takes a ride to All-Star Game  —  Inge, Victorino win epic contest in Sprint Final Vote  —  “Bran-Torino” is now a joy ride.  —  Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge and Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino are your choices in the dramatic 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote …

Comeback story 'penned  —  Red Sox relievers cough up lead against KC  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  The Royals, a punching bag for the Red Sox [team stats] and most other major league teams much of the last two decades, arrived at Fenway Park [map] last night for the opener of a four-game series.

Vazquez injured, will miss Sunday start in Colorado  —  Braves officials hope to keep him off the disabled list  —  Denver — Even if Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez had been named to the All-Star team, a strained lower-abdominal muscle would have prevented him from playing in the game.

Midseason Top 25 Prospects  —  While subscribers can see a more in-depth look at the top 25 prospects and will get a listing of the organizations who have improved their stock and which teams have slipped, we do want everyone to be able to see the listing of the Top 25 Prospects at the midseason.

Hanrahan earns victory on day off  —  Former Nats reliever credited with win in suspended game  —  HOUSTON — Pirates right-hander Joel Hanrahan was hanging out with teammate Adam LaRoche on Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia when he joked, “Well, it's time to get to work.”

Rob Dibble on the Nats: “It's Pathetic”  —  Rob Dibble keeps talking, and I keep typing.  —  You won't often hear the home team's official broadcaster say things like this: “This isn't a Major League baseball team I'm watching out here....It's pathetic.  I've never seen a team that is ok with losing. …

Baseball prospers under Bud Selig  —  Allan “Bud” Selig has been baseball commissioner since 1992 and, after some early labor strife in his reign, baseball has enjoyed peace between management and players for more than 15 years.  —  A darker side of the game has emerged in the last decade …

Cuba admits coveted pitcher Chapman defected … HAVANA (AP) — Cuba has acknowledged the defection of baseball pitcher Aroldis Chapman, a week after he walked away from a tournament in the Netherlands.  —  The Communist Party daily Granma said Friday that Chapman has contracted baseball agent Jaime Torres to represent him.

Betancourt entering telling week  —  Seattle (44-41) vs. Texas (47-37), 7:10 p.m. PT  —  SEATTLE — While the Mariners have their undivided attention on the Rangers this weekend, a move that has been discussed since third baseman Adrian Beltre had shoulder surgery is taking shape a few miles south of Safeco Field.