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.

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 …

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.

San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy has protective boot removed from ankle  —  SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy had his right ankle removed from a protective boot Thursday and will begin a rehabilitation program.  —  Peavy  —  Peavy, who has been on the 15 …

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 …

Dickerson battling back spasms  —  Cincinnati (42-46) vs. Milwaukee (46-43), 7:10 p.m. ET  —  CINCINNATI — Reds manager Dusty Baker had expected outfielder Chris Dickerson to be past his back spasms and ready to play to the point that he had him in Thursday's starting lineup leading off and playing right field.

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 …

Rasmus in a deal for Halladay?  Mo says no  —  The Cardinals continue to scrutinize the trade market.  Their need for another hitter has become secondary to finding a pitcher.  —  General manager John Mozeliak spoke recently to Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.