MLB nixes Yanks' signing after ID fraud … A top New York Yankees prospect is not who he claims to be, sources tell SI.com.  Two weeks ago, the Yankees signed a shortstop purporting to be 16-year-old Damian Arredondo from the Dominican Republic to an $850,000 bonus.

Rockies sign Herges to minor league deal  —  DENVER — The Rockies are going back to their past for potential help in the future.  They signed reliever Matt Herges to a minor-league deal, agent Danny Horwits told the The Denver Post tonight.  —  The 39-year-old will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Rockies 10, Padres 1  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Aaron Cook pitched six solid innings, Clint Barmes hit a three-run homer and Seth Smith added a two-run shot to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 10-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night.  —  Cook (9-3) continued his dominance …

Astros ruin Manny Ramirez's homecoming  —  Five pitchers combine for a shutout.  Randy Wolf's good outing is wasted.  —  The fans at Dodger Stadium rose and roared as the left fielder stepped into the batter's box.  —  The left fielder was Juan Pierre.  —  That Manny Ramirez didn't receive …

Second-Half Prescriptions: NL by Baseball Prospectus  —  NL  —  Philadelphia Phillies: Their situation is similar to the Yankees'—they have a productive yet imperfect offense and a pitching staff that hasn't lived up to expectations.  They can give the offense a very small goose by turning …

Pirates offer extensions to Wilson, Sanchez  —  Best-friend infielders ‘excited’ after team approaches them jointly  —  The Pirates have approached shortstop Jack Wilson and second baseman Freddy Sanchez about multiyear contract extensions, putting on hold, for now, the possibility that either …

Phils' Ibanez homers twice as Moyer masters Marlins again  —  MIAMI (AP) — The mismatches between Jamie Moyer and the Florida Marlins are becoming more one-sided.  —  Moyer allowed one hit in seven innings to continue his domination of Florida, Ryan Howard hit his 200th homer to sustain …

Matt Kemp: Likes His ESPYs Drunk, Dates Topless  —  More than one source tells me today that Matt Kemp of the Dodgers was an absolute trainwreck at the ESPYs last night.  —  Despite appearing upright on the red carpet for an interview with KSPN-AM's Mason & Ireland before the festivities …

Chicago Cubs sign reliever B.J. Ryan  —  Will rehab in Mesa, then go to Triple-A Iowa  —  WASHINGTON — The Cubs signed lefty reliever B.J. Ryan and will send him to their spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz.  —  Ryan, who was a closer for Toronto, will work out in Arizona and report to Triple-A Iowa.

Betancourt, Gordon coming off DL  —  Pena designated for assignment; Maier optioned to Triple-A  —  KANSAS CITY — The Royals designated shortstop Tony Pena for assignment and optioned center fielder Mitch Maier to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.  —  The moves cleared roster space …

Why the Yanks are in good shape  —  Struggles against top teams aside, Bombers look fine  —  When the Yankees open up the second half of the season on Friday, they'll do it with a three-game series against the American League Central-leading Tigers — a series that, judging by New York's …

Banner Day, 2009  —  The Mets' last Banner Day was staged years ago but it was revived by The New York Times over the past week and produced some pretty clever results.  —  Close to 100 people used words and images to comment on the 2009 season, which, for the Mets, has been a succession of minor calamities.

Ervin Santana still has some magic in his arm  —  His fastball isn't the same, but he still dominates A's in a 6-2 victory.  —  Reporting from Oakland — Don't worry about the radar gun.  Don't look to the scoreboard for your velocity.  Just throw strikes.  —  Easier said than done.

Halladay trade talk has ripple effect  —  SUDDENLY, TORONTO'S CN Tower, formerly one of the world's tallest structures at 1,815 feet, is only the town's No. 2 edifice.  Roy Halladay suddenly stands taller than that.  —  The 32-year-old righthander has been the sharp focus of a tale …