Parnell is likely to take Niese's spot in rotation … With Jon Niese out for the year, Jerry Manuel indicated the rookie's spot in the starting rotation could be taken by reliever Bobby Parnell.  —  Parnell, a starter throughout his minor-league career before making 54 relief appearances …

Pedro impressive in latest rehab start  —  Right-hander strikes out 11 over six innings for Reading  —  Box >  —  READING, Pa. — For five innings, Pedro Martinez was razor sharp.  —  He was hitting the corners with his fastball and his offspeed pitches had the Trenton Thunder hitters reaching.

Mets reacquire Anderson Hernandez from Nats  —  The Mets have reacquired infielder Anderson Hernandez from the Nationals for prospect Greg Veloz.  Here's the announcement:  —  Hernandez, 26, hit .251 (58-231) with 25 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, one home run and 23 RBI in 77 games with the Washington Nationals.

Red Sox sign Byrd to Minor League deal  —  Veteran righty retired following 2008 season with Boston  —  ST. PETERBURG — Roughly a year ago, the Red Sox were sputtering a little in the rotation and added dependable veteran Paul Byrd in a waiver pickup from the Cleveland Indians.

Mike Minor gets big deal from Braves  —  Former Vanderbilt left-hander Mike Minor and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a contract that includes the largest bonus awarded to a Braves draftee and the largest bonus ever given to a No. 7 pick, Nashville-based agent Bo McKinnis said Wednesday.

You can boo Ortiz now, but then let it go  —  and call me crazy, but I don't sense that Yankees fans will respect David Ortiz's “Give me time to figure out how I tested positive back in '03” plea.  —  “Gary Sheffield and Carl Pavano have gotten it the worst this year,” Lisa Swan said Thursday.

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan says team projected to lose $16 million, defends trades  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan projects the team will lose $16 million this season and says the recent trades of Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and All-Star catcher Victor Martinez were necessary long-term moves.

An open letter to Joba  —  I'm writing to you as a friend you've never met.  I'm writing to you with a small piece of advice, something you can choose to ignore or something you can take to heart.  Your choice.  But hear me out, and I promise to keep it brief.

Small-market teams can't just go by the book anymore … Funny thing, just six years after Michael Lewis' seminal Moneyball came out there isn't really a small-market team that looks to be playoff bound.  Yes, the Minnesota Twins are hanging in there, of course, because the division is so flawed …

Cat frolicks on field in fifth inning in KC  —  Groundskeepers give chase as feline delays play early  —  KANSAS CITY — Say what you want about their win-loss record, but the Royals' 2009 season is definitely running in first place in the bizarre moments category.

Reddick on way back, but for whom?  —  Well, Josh Reddick is at least racking up the frequent flier miles.  —  One day after being sent to Triple-A to make room for left-hander Billy Traber, Reddick is on his way to New York and should arrive at Yankee Stadium in time for tonight's game between the Sox and Yankees.

Schmidt chased early in Dodgers' loss  —  Furcal's leadoff homer provides only offense vs. Brewers  —  LOS ANGELES — The stage was set for something memorable.  —  It was the game immediately following Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder's bizarre attempt to storm the Dodgers clubhouse …