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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

Angels frustrated by Sox Thome, Floyd  —  Rookie O'Sullivan suffers first Major League loss  —  CHICAGO — The luck of the Irish finally expired.  —  Sean O'Sullivan's sixth Major League start became his first loss, and Jim Thome — who has had a heavy hand in hundreds of bad nights for pitchers — was squarely in the middle of it.

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.

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 …

Yanks add relief, at Ransom's expense  —  With Boston looming, Claggett returns to give 'pen fresh arm  —  TORONTO — Given the versatility of the newly acquired Jerry Hairston Jr., it seemed unlikely that the Yankees would have room for backup infielder Cody Ransom much longer.