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 …

Braves aren't shopping Escobar  —  Yunel Escobar returned to the Braves lineup on Thursday night and as long as he remains healthy, it appears he'll stay there throughout the remainder of the season and likely beyond.  —  While Escobar doesn't necessarily into the same untouchable category inhabited …

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.