Source: Mets looking to unload Wagner  —  If Billy Wagner's return to New York this weekend is nothing more than a glorified audition, the Mets are already pushing the paperwork that will enable them to trade him.  —  According to a major league source, the Mets placed Wagner on trade waivers Wednesday.

Nats to name Rizzo GM on Thursday  —  Announcement expected to be made at news conference  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals will officially promote Mike Rizzo to general manager at a news conference on Thursday at Nationals Park, according to a baseball source, who said the Nationals …

Dodgers sign free-agent pitcher Padilla  —  Right-hander will move into rotation next Thursday  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Wednesday signed free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla, who will make one Minor League start Saturday for Triple-A Albuquerque, then move into the Major League …

Game 121: Yankees at Athletics (with Joba update)  —  YANKEES (75-45)  —  Pitching: RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0, 5.13).  —  ATHLETICS (53-66)  —  Kennedy 3B  —  Davis CF  —  Ellis 2B  —  Suzuki DH  —  Sweeney LF  —  Powell C  —  Cust RF  —  Everidge 1B  —  Pennington SS

Lee has another stellar outing for Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cliff Lee (FSY) pitched a two-hitter, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 Wednesday night.  —  Jayson Werth (FSY) hit a pair of solo homers, Ryan Howard …

Hall traded to Seattle (updated)  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Pittsburgh - The Milwaukee Brewers traded infielder/outfielder Bill Hall to the Seattle Mariners today for minor league pitcher Ruben Flores.  —  The deal almost certainly included a large amount of cash …

Fans' turn to pick Aaron Award nominees  —  Voting under way to choose club selections for hitting honor  —  In 1999, the Hank Aaron Award was introduced by Major League Baseball to honor the 25th anniversary of its namesake hitting his 715th home run and passing the immortal Babe Ruth …

Selig: Nats ‘Did What They Had to Do’ to Sign Strasburg  —  Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig characterized the Nationals' signing of pitcher Stephen Strasburg as “fair,” though he appeared to do so grudgingly and acknowledged management's intention to pursue a hard “slotting” …

Bellmore's Lichtman shows his baseball knowledge through UZR  —  If he ever speaks again in front of a group  —  of major league coaches, Mitchel Lichtman said — “again,” as in, “He has done so previously,” — the statistical analyst has a new icebreaker.

Cubs avoid sweep, beat Padres 7-1  —  Harden sparkles as Cubs avoid sweep, but time still not on their side  —  SAN DIEGO — As disgruntled as Cubs fans seem to be over their highly paid, two-time division champion that is fighting to stay above .500, much less in the playoff hunt …

Jerry Remy returns tomorrow  —  A familiar voice will be in a familiar place when the Yankees come to Fenway Park [map] tomorrow.  —  Beloved broadcaster Jerry Remy, sidelined since May while dealing with the effects of cancer treatments and depression, will make his return to the NESN booth for tomorrow night's game.

Twins again spoil Pudge's return to Rangers 5-4  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Pardon the Minnesota Twins if they don't get all sentimental about Ivan Rodriguez's (FSY) return to the Texas Rangers.  —  GAME REPORT: Twins 5, Rangers 4  —  Denard Span (FSY) hit a tying double before sliding past Rodriguez …

Marlins cautious with N. Johnson injury  —  First baseman takes grounders, holds off on swinging bat  —  HOUSTON — Getting Nick Johnson back into action is a step-by-step process.  —  Resting a strained right hamstring, the Marlins first baseman did some light workouts in pregame warmups Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.

AMAZIN' BRASS NEEDS TO OWN UP TO PROBLEMS  —  THE remarkable part, if you think about it, isn't that 38,602 of you bought tickets for last night's grisly slaughterhouse special at Citi Field, or that a good 30,000 of you actually made your way through the turnstiles, or that there were still 25,000 …