MLB wants to ‘chat’ with Arroyo about his supplement use  —  Major League Baseball plans to schedule a meeting with Cincinnati Reds right-hander Bronson Arroyo, vice president Rich Levin said Thursday, to discuss his comments to USA TODAY about taking supplements not approved by MLB.

Strasburg Negotiations Likely Will Go Down to the Wire  —  Until next Monday night, a figurative countdown clock lords over the day-to-day operations of the Washington Nationals, reminding all involved of the days, hours and minutes remaining to sign No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg.

Stark On Smoltz, Reds, Strasburg, Thome  —  ESPN.com's Jayson Stark adds the Astros to the list of teams interested in John Smoltz.  Here are the rest of his rumors:  — The Cubs could look for another bat and another starter, but it depends on how healthy Aramis Ramirez, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano are.

Epstein on trade deadline, Ortiz, and more  —  A few of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's more candid comments during his conversation with the hosts of WEEI's “The Dale and Holley” show this afternoon:  —  On whether this is the most hectic stretch he's ever been through during his time as Red Sox GM:

Is This Person The Wrigley Beer-Tossing Hand Job?  —  I imagine that since we're very close to identifying the man who soaked Shane Victorino last night at Wrigley, that the Chicago PD are close as well.  —  One tipster claims that the man seen in the above photo — his “friend” …

Curb your enthusiasm over Pedro … CHICAGO — Pedro Martinez has now been a spot artist for as long as he was a master with the three best pitches and the most precise command in baseball.  Most of that time he's been fading or faded, injured more often than not.  By his own account, the last time he felt good was 2001.