Yankees Sign Heathcott For $2.2 Million  —  The Yankees have signed first-round pick Slade Heathcott for $2.2 million.  He was drafted 27th overall, and the MLB recommendation for his slot was $1,107,000.  —  A two-way star at Texas High (Texarkana, Texas), Heathcott will be an outfielder in pro ball.

Tigers acquire infielder Huff from O's  —  Veteran brings left-hand bat to lineup and versatility in the field  —  DETROIT — Finally, the Tigers found help at the plate on the trade market.  In turn, Aubrey Huff found arguably his best chance to finally get to the postseason.

Smoltz released  —  John Smoltz's brief and disappointing stay with the Red Sox has come to its official end.  —  The Red Sox have confirmed this afternoon that, as expected, they have released the 42-year-old righthander, who won just two of eight starts with the Sox while posting an 8.33 ERA.

Rays don't expect to sign their top two draft picks … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays say they're not optimistic about signing their top two picks in this year's draft.  —  The AL champions took Florida high school outfielder LeVon Washington as the 30th overall pick in the first round in June.

Hernandez Continues to Struggle; So Do Mets  —  Manager Jerry Manuel had considered dropping Livan Hernandez from the rotation after watching him struggle in his recent starts.  Manuel kept him in the rotation because, he said, Hernandez had shown an ability to bounce back after such a run.

Nationals increase offer for Strasburg … As the midnight deadline approaches, there are strong signals the Nationals will raise their initial offer of $12.5 million for No. 1 pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg.  —  Although, with less than hour remaining before the deadline …

Orioles Sign Ohlman For $995,000  —  The Orioles have signed 11th-round pick Michael Ohlman for $995,000.  With Ohlman and 22nd-rounder Cameron Coffey (who got $990,000), Baltimore has paid the two highest bonuses known after the 10th round this year.  —  A catcher from Lakewood Ranch High …

Tigers Sign Turner  —  The Tigers have signed No. 9 overall pick Jacob Turner to a major league contract with a $4.7 million bonus (payable over six years, with $1.6 million paid in 2014) and a guaranteed value of $5.5 million.  Depending on how quickly he reaches the majors, he could push the total value to nearly $7 million.

Phillies Nab Colvin for $900,000  —  Baseball America has confirmed that Louisiana State signee Brody Colvin has spurned the defending national champions to sign with the Phillies, who drafted him in the seventh round.  Colvin signed for $900,000, the second-highest bonus in the seventh round …

Game 119: Yankees at Athletics (with draft signing updates)  —  YANKEES (74-44)  —  Pitching: RHP AJ Burnett (10-5, 3.71).  —  ATHLETICS (52-65)  —  Kennedy 3B  —  Davis CF  —  Suzuki C  —  Hairston LF  —  Sweeney RF  —  Ellis 2B  —  Cust DH  —  Crosby 1B  —  Pennington SS

Hanson hurls Braves past Diamondbacks 9-4  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Tommy Hanson (FSY) isn't worried about how many innings he pitches as long as he can keep helping the Atlanta Braves win.  —  Hanson gave up two runs in six innings for his third consecutive win and Ryan Church (FSY) …

Coonelly: Russell will be back in 2010  —  Decisions on rest of coaching staff coming after season  —  CHICAGO — The Pirates will bring back manager John Russell for the 2010 season, team president Frank Coonelly said yesterday at Wrigley Field.  —  Coonelly did not elaborate …